The Newspaper of Record since 1878
Bill Wheeler went to be with the Lord on June 29,2025. He went peacefully surrounded by his dear family. He was the son of Cecil and Leona Wheeler. He was born in Finley, Oklahoma but spent his entire life growing up and living in Globe, Arizona where his parents relocated shortly after his birth to work in the Copper Mines.
Bill began working at the age of 13 as a box boy for Eagle Grocery alongside his lifelong best friend Bobby Beydler. He then trained to become a meat cutter and began his beloved career in the grocery business for over 20 years. He finished out his career managing the parts department for Gila County and retired in 1997. Billy and Joyce moved to Colorado in 2012 to live closer to their daughter and husband.
He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Joyce, his two children Kim Smith and husband Jack, and Darren Wheeler and wife Kat as well as his adopted brother Eldon, nephew Brent and nieces Rhonda Grimes and Jodi Jones. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Edward, his wife Pat and their son Brad and his sister Joyce.
A celebration of life was held at his home church in Colorado and his interment was at the Mountain View Cemetery in Mesa, Arizona.
