Bill Wheeler Jr.

William "Bill" Wheeler Jr., 75, of Honey Grove, picked up his boots and went to the grand rodeo in the sky on Tuesday morning July 9, 2024, surrounded by his loving family at home.  He was born on October 30, 1948 to William Wheeler Sr. and Dorothy Mae Cochran Wheeler Alexander in Memphis, TX.

Bill grew up most of his childhood in west Texas, with his baby brothers Doug and Tommy, with their grandparents Cliff and Lena Wheeler, where there was never a shortage of work (mischief) to get done.  Whether it was shooting each other out of the loft of the barn with BB guns or going hunting on their circus horse with their bird dog Pete.

Bill always had a profound passionate love for rodeo and the western way of life.  It wasn't just part of him, it was who he was.  He had a love of riding bulls and bronc horses, even in a pinch he was a barrel man for a friend that was hurt.  Bill was a life long member of the Honey Grove Rodeo Club.

Bill went to school and graduated from Windom, TX in 1968.  It was then he met a girl from Honey Grove and their love grew.  They were married at Allen's Point Baptist Church on October 30, 1971.  When their family was planning their 50th wedding anniversary, most everyone said "it's a miracle she didn't kill him!"  Bill was a member of West Side Baptist Church in Honey Grove.

Bill and Peggy raised two daughters, actually they raised many kids because their house was always full of love.  He always had a kid near him or had a kid in his lap.

Bill's legacy will carry on through his wife Peggy Williams Wheeler, daughters: Amy Lovelady and husband Hunter and Amanda Loftice and husband Allen; special niece Kim Malone Hewitt and brother Dewayne Alexander; grandchildren: Lane and Cheyenne Hodges, Cody and Kaci Hodges, Justin Robbins, Shelly Robbins, Auttie and Dean Roan, Marlow and Keri Fears, Kalob, Ely and Naomi Loftice; great grandchildren: Wyatt, Keely and Josie Hodges, Hunter Wylder and Rip Hodges, Atticus Roan and Presley and Tegan Barnes.  He is also survived by sisters in law Linda Wheeler, Nikkie Wheeler, Paulette Andrew and Judy Williams; nephews and nieces: Matt and Audra Andrew, Marsha and Kenny Sewell, Stephen and Lisa Williams, Dena and Quintan Barnes, Greg and Stacy Cravens, Misty Moore, Michael and Stacy Williams, Cindy and Chad Danner, Connie and Tim Cessnum and Crystal Wheeler.

Bill is celebrating in heaven with his parents William Wheeler Sr. and Dorothy Alexander; grandparents Cliff and Lena Wheeler; in-laws Marlow and Doris Williams; brothers Tommy, Doug and Dewayne Wheeler; brothers in law Steve Williams and Sidney Andrew; nephew Darin Wheeler and son in law Matt Robbins.

The Black Hat Gang that will be holding it together are: Don Smith, Michael Sherwood, Micky Holmes, Stewart Richardson, Doug McKinney, Billy Joe Thelkeld and James Michael Shaw.

A celebration of Bill's life will be held on Saturday, July 13, 2024 at 3:00 P.M. at West Side Baptist Church in Honey Grove with Bro. Terry Paul Cunningham, Bro. Nolan Butler, Matt Andrew and Greg Cravens officiating.  A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

Memorials can be made to West Side Baptist Church or McCraw's Chapel Cemetery Association.