William Wheeler

William Henry Wheeler VIRGINIA BEACH - Bill Wheeler, 93, retired U.S. Air Force colonel, died peacefully Aug. 18, 2009, at his home in Virginia Beach. A native of Scarsdale, N.Y., Mr. Wheeler was commissioned in the U.S. Army Air Force in July 1942 and in March 1943, he was assigned to combat duty as a B-17 bomber pilot in the American Eighth Air Force with the 91st Bomb Group at Bassingbourn, England. He fell in love with his wife-to-be in London before he was shot down in August 1943 over Germany on his 24th mission during the legendary Schweinfurt raid. Col. Wheeler was held as a prisoner of war for 21 months in Stalag Luft III. After the war, Bill Wheeler returned to England, where he married the former Mary Chapman of London. They were deeply in love and devoted to each other in a wonderful marriage of more than 61 years. Col. Wheeler remained in the Air Force and continued a prestigious career as a bomber pilot through each generation of aircraft, including the B-47. Following World War II, he had assignments in Korea, Japan and England. He was an aircraft commander and then deputy wing commander of the 100th Bomb Wing of the Strategic Air Command at Pease Air Force Base in New Hampshire until his retirement in 1965. He then accepted a position with General Electric's Naval Ordinance Division in Pittsfield, Mass. He retired from GE in 1981 and the family moved back to New Hampshire where he authored and published two books about his war experiences: "Bomber Pilot" and "Shootdown." After retiring, he completed his bachelor's degree from the University of New Hampshire. Bill is survived by his sister, Ida of Irvine, Calif.; his two children, Dr. Anthony Wheeler (Dana) of Charlotte, N.C., and Peter Wheeler (Jane) of Oakton, Va.; and five grandchildren. He was predeceased by his two brothers, Andrew and Bobby; and his two sisters, Mike and Grace of Scarsdale, N.Y. The memorial service is planned for 1 p.m. Saturday Aug. 22, at The Chapel at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Va. He will be buried Friday, Aug. 28, at 1 p.m. in the Old Dutch Cemetery at Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., next to his loving wife, Mary, with the honors befitting an officer, war veteran and POW in the U.S. military. The family asks that any memorial donations be made in Bill Wheeler's name to the Sentara Home Care Services or Special Olympics International. Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Great Neck Chapel, is handling the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.