Royal Stevens Wheeler

Royal Stevens Wheeler, formerly of Blacksburg, Virginia, passed away in Athens, Georgia, on September 4, 2021, at the age of 92. He grew up in Concord, Virginia, and was the son of the late John and Augusta Wheeler. He was preceded in death by his siblings, John Wheeler, Jr., Roberta Adams, and Wilson Wheeler.

Steve was an active member of Blacksburg United Methodist Church, a 1950 graduate of Virginia Tech, and a lifelong Hokie fan. He was proud to have served as a major in the Air Force, but he spent the majority of his working life in public education in Montgomery County, Virginia. He was the first principal of Gilbert Linkous Elementary School in Blacksburg and held various administrative positions in the central office of Montgomery County Schools . He also served as president of the Montgomery County Education Association and the Blacksburg United Fund.

In 1970 he was named Distinguished Citizen of the Year by the Blacksburg Jaycees. Steve was an animal lover, and after his retirement he spent 7 years as a volunteer with the Humane Society of Montgomery County.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Jean Wheeler, of Athens, Georgia; a son, Dr. Michael Wheeler (Camille) of Rutherfordton, North Carolina; a daughter, Dr. Brenda Ingles (Andy) of Monroe, Georgia; 5 grandchildren: Patrick Wheeler (Katie) of Geneva, Switzerland, Anna Van Windekens (Xavier) of Seattle, Washington, Eric Wheeler (Samantha Posco) of Los Angeles, California, Elizabeth Ingles of Monroe, Georgia, and Rebecca Ingles (Hunter Martin) of Bethlehem, Georgia; and 7 great-grandchildren: Jackson and Logan Wheeler of Geneva, Switzerland, Eloise and Margot Van Windekens of Seattle, Washington, Emma Ingles of Monroe, Georgia, and Hunter and Davis Ingles of Bethlehem, Georgia.

Services with military honors will be held Friday, October 1, at 2:00 p.m., at Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery, 5550 Bagging Plant Rd., Dublin, Virginia.

Memorial Contributions can be made to Blacksburg United Methodist Church or the Humane Society of Montgomery County.

Bernstein Funeral Home, Athens, Georgia, is in charge of arrangements.