Fay Noel Wheeler

Noel was born September 18, 1922 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to the late Fay Walter and Lulu R. Wheeler. He spent most of his early life in Dallas, Texas, but the family, including younger brother, John, ultimately settled in Atlanta, GA in the mid-1930s. Noel graduated from Druid Hills High School in Atlanta and then attended two years of college at Georgia Tech. World War II ended his engineering aspirations when he joined the U.S. Coast Guard in 1942. Noel served both on land and at sea. A portion of his land duty involved patrolling the beach on horseback in Hollywood, FL. That’s where he met the love of his life, Betsy Cooper. They were married on New Year’s Eve, 1943. After the war Noel worked for General Electric Co., Hotpoint and Crane Plumbing as a sales representative. Most of Noel’s career was spent working in South Florida. He retired from Crane in 1987.

In 2004 Noel and Betsy moved to Brunswick to be closer to their daughter, Julie Lawing. Noel and Betsy were members of College Place United Methodist for many years but a move to St. Simons persuaded them to attend church with Julie instead. That’s when Noel became firmly entrenched in the Men’s Bible Study at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. In addition to church activities Noel enjoyed equestrian events, reading, and drawing cartoons. He was also an avid woodworker, crafting beautifully carved and inlaid walking sticks and back scratchers which he gave to others. In addition to his parents and brother, Noel was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Betty J. Wheeler (Betsy).

Survivors include, a daughter, Julie Wheeler Lawing and husband Leonard, of St. Simons; a son, John N. Wheeler of Atlanta; 5 grandchildren, Joseph McKinnie, Kathryn McKinnie Walters and husband Rob, Joanna Wheeler, Shannon Lawing Welch and husband Bryan, and Joshua Lawing and wife Chikako, as well as 3 great grandchildren, Sydney and Bryson Welch, and Noah Lawing. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Christ Church, Frederica and Hospice of the Golden Isles. Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. www.edomillerandsons.com