James Byron Wheeler, Sr., 81, of Rockingham, Virginia, passed away Aug. 27, 2022, at his home after a battle with cancer.
He was born June 21, 1941, at Bragg City, Missouri, and was the son of the late Rufus Clyde Wheeler and Vivian Gregory Wheeler.
Mr. Wheeler was a veteran, having served in the U.S. Navy and the National Guard. He was a sheet metal machinist at Dunham-Bush for more than 30 years. He was Brethren by faith and was a member of the Harrisonburg American Legion Post.
On Oct. 21, 1963, he married Naomi Warner Wheeler, who survives.
Also surviving are a daughter, Joyce Ellen Ball (Timothy) of Singers Glen, Virginia; a son, James Byron Wheeler, Jr. (Linda Herr) of Akron, Pennsylvania; two sisters, Virginia and Camilla; two brothers, Jerry and J.C.; six grandchildren, Jaeson Wheeler-Hussey, Ryan Benjamin Orebaugh, Aaron Ross Orebaugh, Alice Vivian Wheeler, Mary Ona Wheeler and Joseph James Wheeler; and two great-grandsons, Reese Orebaugh and Cole Orebaugh.
A private graveside service will be held at the Burke Warner Family Cemetery in Riverton with Pastor Timothy Ball officiating.
The family prefers that memorials be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.kimblefuneralhome.com.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Kimble Funeral Home in Franklin.
