James Byron Wheeler, Sr., 81, of Rockingham, Virginia, passed away Saturday, August 27, 2022 at his home after a battle with cancer.

He was born June 21, 1941 at Bragg City, Missouri and was the son of the late Rufus Clyde Wheeler and Vivian Gregory Wheeler.

He was a Veteran, having served in the U.S. Navy and the National Guard.  He was a sheet metal machinist at Dunham-Bush for over thirty years.  He was Brethren by faith and was a member of the Harrisonburg American Legion Post #188.

On October 21, 1963, he married Naomi Warner Wheeler, who survives.

Also surviving are –

One daughter –

Joyce Ellen Ball (& Timothy) of Singers Glen, VA

One son –

James Byron Wheeler, Jr. (& Linda Herr) of Akron, PA

Two sisters –

Virginia and Camilla

Two brothers –

Jerry and J.C.

Six grandchildren –

Jaeson Wheeler-Hussey, Ryan Benjamin Orebaugh, Aaron Ross Orebaugh, Alice Vivian Wheeler, Mary Ona Wheeler and Joseph James Wheeler

And two great-grandsons –

Reese Orebaugh and Cole Orebaugh

The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 PM Tuesday, August 30, 2022 at Kimble Funeral Home in Franklin.

A private graveside service will be held at the Burke Warner Family Cemetery in Riverton, West Virginia with Pastor Timothy Ball officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers that memorials be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN  38105.