Wiley was twice taken prisoner during his service in the Civil War: the first time at Vicksburg, Mississippi, and the second time in Louisiana. He served as a prisoner of war in stockades at Vicksburg and Jackson, Mississippi, and at Tyler, Texas. His regiment is said to have been in fourteen recorded battles and to have received citation for valiant service. While home on furlough, he married Sarah Meenach on May 27, 1863.

During his early life he lived in Greenup and Carter Counties, Kentucky, and in 1884, at the age of 50, moved with the family by covered wagon to Kansas.
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We regret to have to record the death of one of our subscribers, and one of the best farmers in this section. We refer to W. W. Sellards, brother of the Drs. Sellards of this city. The deceased was a native of Kentucky and was born in Greenup Co., that later on May 29th, 1833; on the out break of the war he volunteered in the twenty second Kentucky Infantry, and served from 1861 to 1864. He was captured at Vicksburg in the fall of 62, was paroled for exchange in the following spring, and reached his command at Batonrouge, La. He was in General Banks, expedition up Red River when their boat, the City Bell was disabled at Snaggy Point by a heavy fire from the shore. Mr. Sellards was among those that swan ashore, where he was captured by Kirby Smith. He lost his shoes and hat and barefooted and bareheaded was marched to Tyler, Texas, a distance of 300 miles. He suffered severely during the tramp and subsequently in confinement in an open stockade at Tyler, the seeds of diseases were sown, and he has been a victim to pneumonia ever since. From time to time he has rallied, but his lungs were affected to such an extent that a slight chill last Monday week laid him up, and despite the efforts of his brothers, who took turns at the beside watch he expired last Thursday, another victim to Southern barbarity. The deceased came to Kansas four years ago and settled on a farm three miles east of Scranton. He leaves a wife and a family of seven children, the eldest of whom, a daughter, is married and resides in Pratt County. His eldest son, Eugene W. is on the farm. The funeral took place on Tuesday. The Chickamauga Post turned out in full strength to pay the last tribute of respect to their deceased comrade, while almost every family on the creek had representatives. The procession was a great length and very impressive. Rev. Bowman conducted the service. J.M Davies had charge of the funeral arrangements and H.B. Pratt’s elegant funeral car was used. 2 Jun 1888 Osage County Times, Scranton