William G. Wheeler

STEVENSVILLE-William Garrett Wheeler, 84, of Stevensville passed away peacefully Wednesday, September 4, 2013 after a brief illness at Royalton Manor, St. Joseph, with his family by his side. Bill was born June 17, 1929 in St. Louis, MO to John and Nan Wheeler. He graduated from Regis High School in Denver, CO in 1947, proudly served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, and graduated from St. Louis University in 1955 with a B.S. in Industrial Engineering. On January 28, 1956, he married the love of his life Christine Rohay Wright at Sts. John & James Church, Ferguson, MI. They began their family life in St. Paul Minnesota where Bill had taken a position with the Aeronautical Division of Honeywell. They moved to Cedar Rapids, IA in 1959 as Bill continued his engineering career with Collins Radio. In 1967 Bill and Chris settled their family in Stevensville, MI when Bill began working as a design engineer at Heath Company. Bill retired from AEP/Donald C. Cook Nuclear Plant in 1993. Bill was a devoted and active member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Bridgman, MI, where he formed many lasting friendships. Special thanks and gratitude to Father Arthur Howard of Our Lady Queen of Peace church for his devoted friendship, which Bill so treasured. His strong faith in God was central to him throughout his long life. He was also a longtime active member of the Blossomland Amateur Radio Club (B.A.R.A.). His other interests included spending time with his family, genealogy research, and traveling around the United States. Bill will be remembered for his friendly, outgoing nature, and his willingness and ability to share his knowledge in so many subjects. Bill was preceded in death by his loving wife Christine on September 2, 2003, after 47 wonderful years of marriage. He was also preceded by his parents, his brother Jack Wheeler and sister Katy Campbell. He is survived by his loving children Patricia (Abe) Lotfi of Clemson, SC, Judith Wheeler of Dallas, TX, Mary (Michael) Johnson of Benton Harbor, MI, and Timothy (Leanne) Wheeler of Muskegon, MI, and grandchildren, Marie Johnson, Zia Lotfi, Karen and Denise Folz, and Owen and Elena Wheeler. Also surviving is his brother Rev. James D. Wheeler, S. J. of Kansas City, MO, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:00 A.M., Saturday, September 7, 2013 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 3903 Lake St. Bridgman with Father Arthur Howard officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Berrien Springs. Friends may visit Friday, September 6, 2013 from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd. St. Joseph, with a prayer service staring at 7:00 P.M. Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church or B.A.R.A (Blossomland Amateur Radio Association). Those wishing to share a memory of Bill may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com.