William Ray Wheeler

Mr. William Ray Wheeler, 79, of Baconton passed away, Monday, January 18, 2010 at Palmyra Medical Center. Services honoring the life of Mr. Wheeler will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 22, 2010 in the chapel of Hall and Hall Funeral Home with Bishop Phil Millerd officiating. Interment will follow at 3:00 p.m. in the Andersonville National Cemetery with military honors. Mr. Wheeler was born May 14, 1930 in Nashville, TN, son of the late James Walter Wheeler I and Bessie Turner Wheeler. Mr. Wheeler was a veteran in the United States Marine Corps, enjoyed fishing and was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints. He was very active in several organizations. He was President of the Park Avenue merchants association in Winter Park FL and was also Grand Marshall of their St. Patrick's Day parade back in the 70's. He was active in the local florist association in Orlando, FL, the Central Florida Florist Association where he served in almost every position, from Secretary to Vice President to President. He was also a past President of the Florida State florist association and was awarded their place in the Sun award in 1984. He helped establish the Florida State Florist Federal Credit Union. He was at one time on the board of directors andnbsp;a field service director for FTD (Florist Trans-World Delivery) and also served as treasurer of FTD. Survivors include his lovingnbsp;wife of twenty-eight years, Beverly Beck Wheeler of Baconton; sons, James Walter Wheeler III and his wife, Deborah and Robert E. Lee and his wife, Kelly; daughters, Rossanne Vigliano and Cynthia L. Derksen and her husband, Bernard; step-son, Michael J. Hodges; step-daughter, Tracy Lavine; sister, Elizabeth Ross Bennett; 9 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends at Hall and Hall Funeral Home following the service.