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Submitted: 7/16/20 • Approved: 7/17/20 • Last Updated: 7/20/20 • R334418-G0-S3
US Navy
35th Construction Battalion
World War II
August 18, 1924-March 23, 2013
World War II Victory Medal
Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal
Philippine Liberation Campaign Ribbon
Expert rifle marksman medal.
Photo, courtesy of Kay Marshall
*Obituary for Benjamin
CLAYTON, N.M. - Benjamin Douglas Wheeler, 88, formerly of Clayton died Saturday, March 23, 2013.
Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Hansford Cemetery in Spearman, Texas, with Fred Shieldknight and Roger Odegaard officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home of Spearman.
Ben was born Aug. 18, 1924, in Reydon, Okla., to Ben and Sarah Walker Wheeler. He grew up in the Vinita, Okla., area and worked in farming and cattle with his father. Benjamin served in the 35th Construction Battalion of the Navy. He joined the military in 1944 when he was 20 years old. He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, Philippine Liberation Campaign Ribbon, and an expert rifle marksman medal. He was honorably discharged April 4, 1946.
Ben worked with his brothers ranching until he married Leota Florence Osborn on Sept. 15, 1949, in Cleora, Okla. They moved to Texas and lived in the Pampa, Texas, area to work on Wiley Reynolds Ranch and Flowers Ranch. They also worked various ranches in Colorado and New Mexico, where they retired to raise their own cattle.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; four sisters, Mary Louise Rich, Tilla Highland, Arlene Billings and Nanola Alice Allen; and three brothers, Leo, Dow and Joe Wheeler.
Survivors include three sons, Ben and wife Diana of Wewoka, Okla., John and wife Susan of Stratford, Texas, and Steve Wheeler and wife Cathy of Kenton, Okla.; two daughters, Patty Wheeler of Goodnight, Texas, and Brenda Shieldknight and husband Fred of Spearman; 13 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.
Published in Amarillo Globe-News, March 26, 2013
Contributed on 7/16/20 by neldapat
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Record #: 334418