Kittery, Maine

William "Bill" Wheeler made his last reverent and devoted gesture on July 30 ^th , 2022 at the age of 94. He died peacefully at home with family by his side.

On September 19, 1927, he was born to Leo J. Sr. and Sadie (Cottle) Wheeler.

He attended schools in Mechanic Falls before entering the United States Navy in 1945, where he was a WWII Veteran.

Following his service, he returned to Maine and started his career as an Electronic Planner on the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard until he retired in 1988.

Upon his retirement, he enjoyed golf at the York Golf and Tennis Club, where he was a member since 1958 and a regular participant in the Birdie Train and Men's League.  He became an honorary member of the club in 2020.  In his spare time, he was devoted to the course's ranger duties where he would drive around the golf course helping members with a smile.  He was always smiling!

Along with his love for golf, he played cards (dominated the family cribbage tournaments), watched sports at all levels to support his kids, grandkids, great grandkids and his beloved New England teams.  He had a love for dancing and at social gatherings would often display his incredible talents to his favorites, "Mack the Knife" and "Up a Lazy River,".  His favorite place to relax was in his recliner where he would enjoy watching television, family visits and scratching lottery tickets.  And behind that recliner, you could always find a box of Goods potato chips that he was happy to share.

He was an easygoing, kind-hearted, witty, honest, genuine man who loved life.  His greatest love was undoubtedly his family: survived by his loving wife of 73 years, Wilma I. Wheeler; children: Karen Seaward of Kittery; Donna White and her husband Don of Kittery; Connie Philbrick of Rochester, NH; Bill Wheeler and his partner Adrienne of Wolfeboro, NH; Jeff Wheeler and his wife Lori of Kittery; Lynn Antone and her husband Mike of Rochester, NH; 11 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his parents and siblings: Leo Jr., Joe, Eleanor Quinn, and Walt.

VISITING HOURS:

Friends may visit with Bill's family on Friday, August 12, 2022, from 5-8 p.m., in the JS Pelkey Funeral Home, 125 Old Post Road, Kittery, Maine.     Online condolences may be made by visiting www.jspelkeyfuneralhome.com .

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to York Hospital Center For Older Adults, Attn:  Hilary Leonhard, 15 Hospital Drive, York, ME  03909 or Maine Golf Scholarship Fund, 58 Val Halla Road, Cumberland, ME 04021; online donation at www.mainegolf.org/ourmission/scholarship.