James Wheeler

James Andrew Wheeler died at home on October 7, 2011. He was born July 29, 1921, in Blount County Tennessee to Robert Blaine and Ellen Hitch Wheeler . He graduated from Everett High School in Maryville, TN in 1940 and the University of Tennessee in 1949. During WWII, he volunteered and trained as a pilot in the Naval Air Core. After marriage to Marian Moody in 1949, they moved to Perry County, Alabama, bought farm land, and established Grassland Farm. He served on the Alabama State Milk Control Board, and has served as president and in various other capacities in the Perry County Farm Bureau and Alfa Board of Directors, and Perry County Cattleman's Association. He was a founding member and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Perry County Bank from 1972 to 2000. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Alabama Farmer's Co-op in Selma and Browns Goldkist Co-op. He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife of over 60 years; three brothers, Robert Wheeler of Louisville, TN, John Wheeler of Louisville, TN, and William D. Wheeler of Marion, AL. He is survived by his sister, Nell Burns of Knoxville, TN; four daughters, Judith Wheeler of Tuscaloosa, AL, Vickie Wheeler Meehan (Tom) of Golden, CO, Andrea Wheeler Lucas (Jerry) of Pelham, AL, and Fran Wheeler (Mike Alley) of Jefferson City, TN; grandchildren Carrie Williams, Casey Robertson, Shannon Meehan, Brianna Meehan, Shane Meehan, Samantha (Ian) Pfeiffer, Andy Edwards, and Bonnie Edwards; great-granddaughters, Charlee and Katie Williams. Visitation will be at Siloam Baptist Church, from 6 until 8 p.m. on Monday, October 10. Funeral services will be held at the church Tuesday, October 11 at 10 a.m. with Pastor John Nicholson officiating. Burial following the service will be at Pine Crest Memorial Gardens, Marion, AL, directed by Selma Funeral Home. Pallbearers are Andrew Wheeler Edwards, Shane Meehan, Paul Wheeler, Jim Wheeler, Jim Burns, Tom Wheeler, Frank French, David Witt, Dan Robertson, and Chad Pitts. Honorary pallbearers include Burnis Barton, Jim Brady, Mike Alley, Jerry Lucas, Tom Meehan, Greg Hinton, Gene Gregory, Andy Hitch, Ben Hitch, Charlie French, John Anderson, Corin Harrison, Bill Knochel, Glenward Coley, Tony Long, Jack Rhodes, Eddie Hill, Lucius Rayfield, Roy Barnett, Jr., Tommy Martin, Charles Holmes, David Potts, John Sandlin, Robert Earl Branton and the Woodfin Griffin Sunday School Class. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Siloam Baptist Church, 505 Washington St., Marion, AL 36756.