Known to family and friends as JoAn, she was born May 10, 1942 in Visalia, CA to Bob and Irene Johnson. She was later adopted and raised by her daddy, "Buck" Wheeler. She was raised and educated along the panhandle of Texas, graduating high school in Perryton, TX in 1960.
She married Lloyd Gilley August 13, 1961 in Perryton. She raised her family and worked for the District 17, Lubbock Maintenance Division of the TX Highway Department for 23 years, retiring to aid in the care of her son Bobby who passed in 2001 at the age of 31.
JoAn was a lifelong artist and antique enthusiast, active at her church, the Senior Citizens group, Ropesville Cemetery Association and TEEA. As a retired TXDOT employee, she also enjoyed fellowshipping with others with whom she had worked. She was loved by all who knew her, a joyful confidante and friend and will be greatly missed. She instilled in her children the assurance of knowing Jesus as Savior, the joy of singing out of the hymnal and appreciation for humor in a myriad of situations. Beautiful flowers and sunsets will always be a reminder of the legacy she has bequeathed.
She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant daughter Louise and her son Bobby.
Survivors include her husband Lloyd; daughters Carrie Norton and husband Jeff of West; Toni Kirkman of Ropesville; and son Tim Gilley and wife Jill of Odessa; Bobby Gilley's widow Carina Gilley of Augusta GA; Brothers JC Johnson and wife Sandra of Evart, MI; Wiley Wheeler of Clovis, NM; Steve Wheeler and wife Ann of Guthrie, OK; and Jerry Wheeler and wife Marybeth of Pueblo, CO. Twelve grandchildren: DaLynn McCoy and husband Bill of Clifton, TX; Jacquelynn Souders and husband William of West, TX; Bobbie Jo Norton of Magnolia, TX; Danny Norton of Stephenville, TX; Eric Evans of Bolivar, MO; Michael Evans and wife Bethany of MO; Peter Evans and Timothy Evans both of Ropesville, TX; Michael Gilley of San Angelo, TX; Makala Mitchell and husband Kendon of CA; James Gilley of Odessa, TX; and Carole Gilley of GA. Eleven great-grandchildren: Christian Norton, Drew, Brandon, Caleb and Lynndi McCoy of Clifton, TX; Haley, CaLynn and Trystan Souders of West, TX; Brayden McMichael, Magnolia. TX; Josie and Emily Evans of MO.
