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Submitted: 1/21/22 • Approved: 1/22/22 • Last Updated: 1/25/22 • R483696-G0-S3
SEAMAN FIRST CLASS US Navy
August 31, 1927-December 31, 2008
*Photo, courtesy of Robert L. Jones
*Obituary
WHEELER - W.W. Bill Wheeler, 81, died Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008, in Amarillo.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Bill Stiles officiating. Burial will be in Kelton Cemetery in Kelton by Wright Funeral Home.
Bill was born Aug. 31, 1927, in Shidler, Okla., to Clarence Wayne Wheeler and Retta Corrine Hunter. Bill was raised in the Spring Creek area and attended Spring Creek School. He attended Borger High School and earned a football scholarship to West Texas State, where he lettered at center and linebacker. He served in the U.S. Navy during the occupation of Japan and was most proud of his service aboard the USS Atlanta. He married Billye Gibbins in Clovis, N.M., on Dec. 31, 1949.
Bill and Billye started careers in education, teaching and coaching. They taught in Borger, Kelton, Spearman and Wheeler. Bill and Billye bought a farm at Kelton and ranched together, they also started Wheeler Irrigation and were successful in the sales of irrigation equipment for several years. In his later years, Bill was active in Amarillo VFW Post No. 1475, where he treasured the friendship of his fellow members.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Billye Jean, in 1989; and a sister, Sue Clark in 2003.
Survivors include a son, Wayne Wheeler of Sayre, Okla.; a daughter, Kim Wheeler of Kelton; five grandchildren, Lori Rarden, Kristie Brummer, J.W. Ray, Will Wheeler and Elissa Johnston; 10 great-grandchildren; a special friend, Carmen Ford of Amarillo; and two sisters, Myrtle Laflin of Pampa and Barbara Austin of Eutopia.
The family suggests memorials be to Travel Fund, Khiva Shrine Temple, P.O. Box 328, Amarillo, TX 79105.
Sign the online guest book at www.wrightfuneraldirectors.com.
Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 2, 2009
Please see W. W. “Bill” Wheeler
Contributed on 1/21/22
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Record #: 483696