Cecil Wayne Wheeler

Cecil W. Wheeler passed away on June 4, 2024, at the age of 86 in Conyers, Georgia. His battle with dementia in recent years demonstrated the love his wife Sherry had for him as his caretaker. She was his hero until the end. Cecil was born in Atlanta Georgia to Herman Jack Wheeler and Thelma Annette Langford Wheeler. After graduating from high school, Cecil became a journeyman plumber with UA Local 72 in Atlanta. He worked as a plumber/pipe fitter for Local 72 for 38 years and was a member of the local for 65 years. In 1959 he married Sherry Rutledge. They were married for 64 years and lived in Rockdale County Georgia for 57 years. They had three children: Stephanie, Wayne and Chris, and six grandchildren: Amy, Amber, Christy, Cecil, Candace and Jack. Thay also had nine great-grandchildren: Cierra, Alura, Benjamin, Hannah, Dylan, Stephanie, Logan, Donald and Ryan, and two great great-grandchildren: Riley and Andrew. He loved his family and enjoyed nothing more than spending time with them at home surrounded by food and fun. His loud laugh and big hugs will be missed by all of those who love him. Cecil enjoyed bass fishing throughout his life. His prize big mouth bass weighed nine pounds and was caught in Clark Hill Lake. The mounted bass haunted the den of the Wheelers' home until his fins began to break away and Sherry summoned the fish to the Barn. He also enjoyed playing golf with his brother and volunteered at Hard Labor Creek Golf Course after retirement. He thrived on the production of vegetable gardens and peach trees with larger-than-life tomatoes and peaches and enjoyed the bragging rights accompanying the crops. Saturdays in the fall were dedicated to the Georgia Bulldogs Football, either by listening to them on the radio or watching them on the television. His favorite football coaching phrases during a game were 'Get him and Run Boy'! Thankfully the Georgia Bulldogs won back-to-back National Championships before Cecil went to meet Jesus. He will be buried in a suit and his favorite red Georgia Bulldog hat. Cecil was predeceased by his father Herman Jack Wheeler, his mother Thelma Annette Wheeler and his brother Herman Jack Wheeler Jr. Friends and family will be received on Friday June 7, 2024 from 5:00-7:00 PM at Scot Ward Funeral Services, 699 American Legion Road, Conyers, GA 30012, with a funeral service to follow on June 8, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Crossroads United Methodist Church, 2460 Highway 138 NE, Conyers, GA 30013. In lieu of flowers please donate to Crossroads UMC or the Atlanta Humane Society. Condolences may be submitted on-line at www.scotward.com. Scot Ward Funeral Services, 770-483-7216.

Cecil Wayne Wheeler

February 9, 1938 - June 4, 2024