Sunday, Dec 2, 2012
Garza County News

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Valton Wheeler, 1929 - 2012

Valton C. Wheeler

1929 - 2012

Published Oct. 8, 2012 @ 10:22 a.m.

Valton Curtis Wheeler, 82, passed away quietly at home, surrounded by loved ones, on September 25, 2012. Funeral services for Valton were held 2PM, Saturday, September 29 2012, at First United Methodist Church of Slaton, where he was a longtime member. Burial with military honors followed in Southland’s Resthaven Cemetery  under the direction of Englunds Funeral Service of Slaton. There was a visitation Friday evening, from 6:30 to 7:30 PM at the funeral home.

Valton was born in Southland, on December 4, 1929 to Horace and Beulah Wheeler. He grew up on a nearby farm and ranch, and went to school in Southland before attending Texas Tech. While at Tec, he was a member of the Wesley Foundation and helped to construct Jones Stadium. He was drafted into the US Army in 1950, was deployed to Korea, and achieved the rank of sergeant before being honorably discharged in 1951. He then returned to Southland, where he farmed and raised cattle for 54 years. Always active in local life, he served on numerous church boards and committees, sat on the Garza County Appraisal Board, and was a member of the Southland School Board for 25 years.

Valton loved sports thought out his life. He played both basketball and football in high school, and attended the games of children and grandchildren as they grew up. He rarely missed a chance to watch his kids play, no matter how busy he was with farm work. He was also a dedicated Red Raiders fan, and showed his support at most of their home football games and many home basketball games.

Valton like to travel whenever he could, and when his farm kept him close to home, he enjoyed working crossword puzzles and visiting other times and places through books. He especially liked historical works, and his encyclopedic knowledge of WWII was a source of many fascinating conversations with his children and grandchildren.

Valton is survived by his wife, Peggy, with whom he celebrated 57 years of marriage on August 25th, a sister, Wilma Hill of Lubbock and brother, Ferrel Wheeler and wife, Laura Jo of Southland. He also leaves behind four children, Kendon Wheeler and wife, Wendy of Guatemala, Curt Wheeler and wife, Debbie of Arlington, Cynthia Thomeer and husband, Paul of Virginia and Andy Wheeler and wife, Karen of Garden City as well as 14 grandchildren; Jared (Rachel), Brett, Micah and Ian Wheeler, Ashley and Brendon Wheeler, Audra (Philip) Holsworth, Mieke Beth (Chris) McBride, Aaron, Lucas, Leah Thomeer and Lauren, Craig and Lee Wheeler and great granddaughter, Molly.

The family suggests in lieu of flowers memorials to First United Methodist Church, PO Box 205, Slaton, TX 79364 or New Life Children’s Home in Guatemala via NCAI, PO Box 35857, Houston, TX 77235.

 

 
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