Bill & Lola Wheeler

The story of Bill and Lola Wheeler began 65 years ago. He was 21 years old, and she just 18. They met in a truly unique way, when Bill was backing out of a driveway and almost hit Lola as she was walking by. He offered her a ride home, and then asked her on a date. On August 4, 1952, they were married. And although they suffered the tragic loss of their twin sons early in their marriage, they went on to have their son Doug in 1958, and then their daughter Sandy in 1962. Ever the handy-man, Bill decided to start his own appliance business in 1958 that would go on to support and also employ his family members for the next 46 years. Wheeler Appliance would come to be the family’s livelihood, a place where they worked alongside one another, with Bill and Doug making repairs while Lola and Sandy ran the office. As the years progressed, the business became a successful entity, employing many people over time, and even giving one grandchild her first summer job.

In 1967 Bill and Lola made a purchase with the hope of giving their family an outlet for fun and a place to relax. Little did they know the plot of lakeside property they purchased in the small town of Mineola, Texas would provide so many memories for them, their children, their grandchildren, and eventually their great-grandchildren. This would be their dream, the place they would eventually retire to, and the place where they would grow old together. Bill was able to enjoy some of his favorite pastimes at that lake house and building a large garage where he could work on vehicles and other machinery. Neighbors and friends could always find him in there, working on some broken vehicle or tinkering with appliances. If he couldn’t be found in his garage, he would be riding along in one of his golf carts, most likely with his favorite lady by his side. Lola passed the time making the lake house into a home. There was a well tended garden, a beautiful deck that looked out on to the lake, and a back porch that was filled with all kinds of plants, hanging baskets, and flowers. There was always beauty to look at and food in the kitchen. If you were ever lucky enough to share a meal that Lola made, you would not leave hungry.

They spent a life of travel, of story-telling, of hard work, and a lot of fun. They made friends wherever they went, which could be attributed to Bill’s loquacity and Lola’s gentle nature. They went to car shows, spent many evenings at the Wylie Opry, and visited towns such as Golden, Texas to enjoy their sweet potato festival. They spent a life providing for their children, teaching them the value of hard work and honesty, and instilling in them the importance of family. And mostly, they spent a life, a very good life. Lola Mae Wheeler passed away on March 10, 2017. Less than 48 hours later, Bill went to be with her, so they could spend their next life just like they spent this one…together.

Bill and Lola were preceded in death by their twin boys William Andrew and Daniel Glen by Bill’s father Thomas Wheeler Sr., his mother Ruby Huffhines, his step-mother Virginia Wheeler, and his brother John David Wheeler, Lola’s father William Alderson, her mother Nannie Swim-Alderson, her brother Homer Alderson, her sister Christine McCollom, her sister Mary McCollom, her brother Bob Alderson and her sister Ruby Miller.

Bill and Lola are survived by their children,; son Douglas E. Wheeler and wife Sharon of Plano, TX, daughter Sandra D. Dickerson and husband Bill of Wills Point, TX. Bill is survived by his sisters Pat Sudden of Garland, TX, Sarah Welch and husband Kenneth of Rusk, TX, Mary Linda Horton of Garland, TX, Debbie Bennett and husband Wayne of Jacksonville, TN, and his brother Mike Wheeler and wife Brenda of Canton, TX. Bill and Lola also leave behind 3 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.