Walter Richard “Dickie” Wheeler 73

Beloved Husband, Father and Grandfather Walter Richard “Dickie” Wheeler, a man of Christian faith was called home at the age of 73.  Dickie was battling an aggressive form of cancer when he passed away at his home in Wauchula, FL on the morning of Wednesday, February 22, 2023. 
	Dickie was born on April 5th, 1949 and was a long-time resident of Arcadia. He attended Desoto County High School where he met the love of his life, Belinda Claire Boyette. They married on the 29th of June, 1969 in Homestead, FL. Together they raised 4 children and were the proud grandparents of 7. After high school Dickie Joined the U.S. Navy serving honorably for 4 years during the War in Vietnam. He worked as a real estate agent in Arcadia before relocating to Miami to join in the family business, Boyette and Sons Land Development. Together they became prominent builders in Miami and Kendall throughout the 1980s. He continued a career as a Civil Engineering Superintendent, specializing in road construction throughout Miami-Dade and Broward County. In the early 2000s he relocated to Wauchula in anticipation of retirement and worked his final years as a State Correctional Officer, retiring in 2011.
Dickie was preceded in death by his grandparents, Arthur and Sada Wagner. His adoptive parents, Walter Robert Wheeler and Virginia Violet Altman. His step-mother Alene Fiegle Wheeler. His biological mother, Velma Elizabeth Hollingsworth. His sister, Marilda Smith. His step-brother Jerry D. Fiegle. His step-sister Lilian Pearl Fiegle. His half-sister Sylvia “Patsy” Hansel. Dickie is survived by his wife of 53 years Belinda C. Boyette Wheeler. Son, Richard E. Wheeler and his wife, Cheri K. Stobart Wheeler of Deltona, FL and their son Shawn D. Wheeler. Daughter, Kerri L. Gordon and her husband Jerry Gordon of Tamarac, FL and their children Haley N. Gordon and Ryan J. Gordon. Son, Brian T. Wheeler and his wife Rebecca Hampton Wheeler of Orange City, FL and their children Jacob T. Wheeler and Riley J. Wheeler. Son, Timothy A. Wheeler of Deltona, FL and his children Timothy Mason Wheeler and Avery E. Wheeler. He is also survived by his sister, Velma Thomasina England of Gaston, SC, half-sister, Velma Hollingsworth Vickery of Perry, FL, half-brother Vernon Hollingsworth of Clermont, FL, step-sister, Janette Fiegle Foley of Arcadia, FL, step-sister Inez “Cookie” Johnson and numerous nieces and nephews.
A service with military honors will be held on Friday, June 16th, at 11:30am at Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Rd 72, Sarasota, Florida.
Dickie was an amateur genealogist. A hobby he took up after reuniting with his older sisters Marilda and Velma Thomasina, from whom he was separated as an infant due to adoption. It was his wish to leave his story for his descendants who would research their own ancestry. Dickie was born Walter Pierce Reed to Velma Elizabeth (née Myers) Trump and Thomas Pierce Reed in Arcadia, FL. He was adopted as an infant by Walter Robert Wheeler and Virginia Violet (née Wiseman) Wagner. Walter and Virginia soon divorced and Dickie was raised by his loving grandparents Arthur L. Wagner (aka John F. Wiseman) and Sada Rankin. 
We, the family of Walter Richard “Dickie” Wheeler, would like to thank everyone for the kind expressions of sorrow and sympathy, for the heartfelt thoughts and prayers, for the comforting foods and beautiful flowers. It is heartwarming to hear what our dad meant to each of you and the memories of him that you hold dear. 


Nov 1993 Richard & Cheri's Wedding (Tux).
Nov 2022 Dickie & Belinda at Gemeni Springs FL.
1969 Dickie & Belinda's wedding at Homestead FL Church of Christ.
about 1968 Navy Portrait.
1949 Baby Walter Peirce Reed (name before adoption) with long lost sisters Marilda (Beach- Ozment-Smith) and Thomasina (Beach- England) and dog.



Walter Richard "Dickie" Wheeler collage of photos

Walter Richard "Dickie" Wheeler ADR3 Vietnam

Moving targets at Pinecastle bombing range.

Pinecastle bombing range near Ocala National Forest, Florida

Dickie in white reading a comic in his down time.

Walter Richard "Dickie" Wheeler US Navy Photo

Sarasota National Cemetery

My Dad joined the service out of high school in the midst of the Vietnam War but didn’t have to serve in-country. He was an Aviation Machinist Mate Stationed at Saufley Field, Pensacola NAS and had a duty station at Pinecastle Bombing Range near Florida’s Ocala National Forest. He would often talk of his adventures and misadventures at the bombing range where there was little to no supervision. At Pinecastle, working in the tower he would call in aircraft and callout scores for aircraft that would bomb or strafe targets. He also found it comical that he joined the Navy and never got the opportunity to get on a boat. He was fortunate to not have risk life and limb or to see the bloody tragedy of war as did many of his friends and classmates. Nevertheless I/we are proud of his contribution and courage to enlist during a war. 

WALTER RICHARD WHEELER

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