On Friday, November 13, 2020, Fortuna resident, William (Bill) Delbert Wheeler left this earth for the ultimate fishing hole. Bill is survived by his wife, Virginia (Ginger) Wheeler, and his first wife, Sandra L Wheeler; children Lisa Williams, Dana Guthery, Tami Wheeler-Carnes and Kelly LeNeave; siblings: Fay Short, Nora Smith, Paul Wheeler and Donna Milholland. He is preceded in death by his father, John Wheeler; mother, Laura Wheeler; and siblings, Pat Doyle and Gary Wheeler.

Bill was born August 29, 1935 in Marlow, Oklahoma to John and Laura Wheeler. The Wheelers moved to Humboldt County when Bill was only 6 years old. Bill grew up hunting South Fork mountain and fishing the local rivers, so he knew the woods and rivers of Humboldt like the back of his hand! Bill graduated Southfork High School in Miranda in 1954. During his high school years, he was well known for his skills at basketball, scoring 256 points in 12 games during his senior year. He loved the sport. Bill joined the Navy in 1958 after having served 4 years in the California Army National Guard while logging with his father in Humboldt County. He served on The USS Iwo Jima, USS Breckenridge, and The USS Guadalupe, working in the engine room and achieved the rank of Chief Petty Officer before he retired after 20 years of service. Towards the end of his 20 year Navy career, he “pushed boots” as a CO and was proud to watch his classes graduate to become a part of the Navy he loved. Later in life, Bill would tell the stories and tales of his wonderful time in the Navy to all his children, grandchildren and his great grandchildren! Bill met and fell in love with his wife, Ginger in the late 1970s while stationed in San Diego. Bill married Ginger in 1978 and adopted her daughter, Tami. Bill and Ginger decided after they were married to move back to Humboldt County to raise their family.

Bill successfully worked at several jobs after his retirement from the military. From running Big Bend Ranch in Maple Creek, to managing Resale Lumber on US 101, to top salesman at Coastal Auto Mart in Eureka. Bill loved the challenge of trying something new, and always seized the opportunity! Bill was a devoted husband to his wife Ginger for 42 years. He was a loving father to his 4 girls, his 12 grandchildren and his 9 great grandchildren. Bill had a second love after his family, Fishing! He was a master at it and he loved sharing his wealth of knowledge with family and friends at every opportunity. In 1996, Bill and Ginger sold their home in McKinleyville and purchased property at Ruth Lake. When they weren’t at their home base at Ruth, Bill and Ginger would travel around the US in their motorhome fishing the rivers and lakes from the East coast to the West coast of this great country, but always returning to Ruth to spend their summers on HIS lake. Morning would break and you would find Bill out on his boat fishing, talking to the fish hawks, and watching the fog melt away with the sun. On his days when he wasn’t fishing, you could find Bill piddling in his workshop listening to music, playing cards with friends or enjoying a football game on TV, while playing solitaire on his computer.

Bill was truly loved and will be missed by too many to count. Bill wouldn’t want anyone to be sad at his passing, he would rather you be happy as you see him on a river in heaven, fighting a large salmon, with a huge smile on his face! Out of respect for Bill’s request, there will be no services.

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