Henry William Wheeler, Jr.

Henry William Wheeler, Jr, also known as Bill, passed into the arms of our Lord July 13, 2023 at the age of 90.

Bill was born in the small community of Lower Intervale outside of Plymouth NH to Henry and Winnifred Wheeler. He was the oldest of nine children which meant he had to grow up quickly. In 1951, at the age of 17 he enlisted in the Army, serving four years. His local NH draft board thought he was in hiding to avoid enlistment when he turned 18. They later found he was in the infantry stationed at Fort Benning, GA.

Bill and Jeanette married in August 1952 and began their adventures together. After the Army they moved back to NH, worked for Potter and Brumfield in IN, KY, and finally to Gainesville, GA in 1966. After Potter and Brumfield was sold Bill went to work at Harris Calorific until his retirement. He enjoyed those retirement years by spending most every day either with his woodshop projects, garden, or lawn maintenance.

Bill was known as an artisan woodworker. It all started when Jeanette bought a table saw for him one year as a Christmas gift back in the 60s. The rest is history. His children have been blessed with his custom tables, cabinets, toys, bookcases, picture frames, full length mirrors, bowls from mesquite burls, and premium wooden shutters. His woodworking gifts were his “I love you” to his family. Bill was always glad to help his children with any type of woodworking projects to include building and renovating houses. If you needed him, he and Jeanette were there.

When Bill’s hearing began failing, he became quieter and quieter. Having two sons and four daughters it was easy for him sit quietly in his recliner and smile during family gatherings. He enjoyed seeing his family and making things for them.

After Jeanette passed in 2021 Bill decided he wanted to move to a small farm or ranch bringing him to AZ to live with family. He loved the mountain views, feeding cows, and picking up eggs. He enjoyed attending Calvary Chapel in Sierra Vista in person until getting out was too much for him. He and Jeanette had previously watched remotely for three years.

Bill is survived by son Bill Wheeler of Lawrenceville, GA, daughter Lorraine (Ricky) Veal of Hereford, AZ, son John (Angie) Wheeler of Summerdale, AL, and daughters Sharon Forney of Gainesville, GA, Gail (Lamar) Jones of Flowery Branch, GA, and Jean (Jeff) Thomas of Ellijay, GA, 11 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren, brothers Roy and James, sisters Betty Whitehouse and Lois Bolduc. He was predeceased by his wife Jeanette, sisters Nancy Meyer, Christine Blair, and Mary Lyman, brother Bruce Wheeler and son-in-law Mike Forney.

Bill and Jeanette will be interred together after a ceremony at Southern AZ Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, Fort Huachuca, AZ September 15, 2023 at 10:00. The family suggests donations be made in their memory to your church or favorite charity in lieu of sending flowers.