HENRY “HANK” WHEELER

1928-2017

Henry “Hank” Wheeler, 89, died Tuesday, July 25, 2017, at his residence at The Harbor in Lakeway, after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.

Hank was born March 26, 1928, in El Paso, Texas, where he attended Austin High School. After graduation, he entered the Marine Corps in 1946. He was honorably discharged in 1948 and enrolled at Southern Methodist University. Hank was a four-year letterman on the SMU basketball team. Upon graduation from SMU, Hank began his public education career as a teacher and coach at Ysleta High School in El Paso. He then moved to Anahuac, Texas, in which his 20-year career included roles as a teacher, coach, counselor, principal, and ultimately as superintendent in 1964. Hank continued his work as a superintendent with the Longview and Houston Spring Branch school districts until his retirement in 1985. After retirement, the Texas Association of School Boards hired Hank to lead its superintendent search services.

Hank’s retirement years were filled with boating on Lake Travis, book clubs, theater performances, and Colorado ski trips with family and friends. The Texas Longhorns sports teams were his true passion.

A member of the Longhorn Foundation, Hank held season tickets for football, basketball, and baseball for many years. His engaging smile, quick wit, and steadfast character endeared him to everyone he met. He showed us all how to be a friend.

Hank was preceded in death by his mother, Mabel E. Wheeler; his brother, Thomas E. Wheeler; and his sister, Adelaide Wheeler Ashby.

Hank is survived by his daughter Shari Parks and husband Joe, of Asheville, NC, and son Roy Wheeler and wife Debbie, of The Hills, TX. He was very proud of his grandchildren: Jenna Wheeler Stapleton and husband Michael of Portland, OR; Leslie Parks of Dallas, TX; John Parks and wife Casey of Fuquay-Varina, NC; and Courtney Wheeler Brummert and husband Nathaniel of Houston, TX. He adored his two great-granddaughters, Olivia Brummert and Emi Stapleton. Marita Rogers was a special companion.

Funeral services for Hank Wheeler will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 29, 2017, at St. Luke’s on the Lake Episcopal Church, 5600 RR 620 North, Austin. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, July 28, at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 411 RR 620 South, in Lakeway.

Pallbearers are Mike Ezer, Marshall Meece, Jerry Kroll, Kelly Adams, Bruce Hawkins, and Don Stacy. Honorary pallbearers are Fred Harvey, Larry Larrison, David Kirkham, Dick Hamilton, Jo Day, and Berna Hawkins.

In lieu of flowers, Hank requested donations to St. Luke’s on the Lake Episcopal Church, 5600 RR 620 North, Austin, TX 78732; or, to Trinity Anglican Church, 18900 FM 1431, Jonestown, TX 78645.

Arrangements by WeedCorley-Fish Funeral Home (512) 263-1511. Obituary and guestbook available online at www.wcfish.com