Wheeler, Arthur Lee

Arthur Lee Wheeler, 92, of Narrows, passed peacefully Saturday, May 28, 2011 at his home. He was born in Narrows on September 5, 1918 and was the son of the late Arthur Martin and Nora Ethel Richardson Wheeler. In addition to his mother and father, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Paul, Erroll, and Harry Wheeler.

He worked with his father and brothers in the A.M. Wheeler Furniture Company and Wheeler Hardware for the 75 years it served the community. Arthur Lee served as president of the company for many years. A World War II veteran of the United States Army, he was a graduate of Narrows High School and Concord College where he was president of Tri Delta Tau fraternity, a member of Chi Beta Phi and the Blue Key honor fraternity. He served as a member of the Giles County School Board for twenty five years from 1963 to 1988, as chairman for 12 of those years. Arthur Lee was a member of the Narrows Lions Club since 1948, serving as its club president on several occasions.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Rheda Dalton Wheeler; three sons, Dr. Steven Lee Wheeler and wife Anne of Pearisburg, Frederick Lynn Wheeler of Dublin, Ohio, and Dr. David Lyle Wheeler of Hot Springs, Virginia, and; three grandchildren, Marcus Wheeler, Danielle Wheeler, and Elizabeth Wheeler; a brother, Russell Wheeler of Narrows; a sister, Ruth Stinson of Newport News, Virginia; a sister-in-law, Reba Wheeler of Narrows; several nieces; nephews; and cousins; and many special friends.

The family wishes to thank all those who provided special care to Arthur Lee in the past few years.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Narrows with the Rev. Chris Brown officiating, assisted by the Rev. Jim Jenkins. Burial will follow in Birchlawn Burial Park in Pearisburg. The family will receive friends at Riffe’s Funeral Service in Narrows Monday from 5 to 7 p.m.

The family requests that those sending memorial contributions, please consider the First United Methodist Church; P.O. Box 398, Narrows, Virginia 24124.

Riffe’s Funeral Service in Narrows is serving the Wheeler family. Online condolence messages to the family can be sent to www.riffes.com.