Watson Ray Wheeler, 82, of Fitzgerald, died Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at his residence.
Funeral services will be held 11 AM, Thursday, May 14, 2026, at Crossview Baptist Church with the Rev. Dusty Stoey officiating and Brad Foster delivering a eulogy. Interment will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. The family will greet friends in the church sanctuary from 10 AM until the service hour.
Mr. Wheeler was born August 22, 1943, in Alma, Georgia, to the late Miriam Frieda Wheeler Yawn. He graduated from Bacon County High School. Mr. Wheeler worked for CSX as an Engineer and retired after 20 plus years from Gilman Building Products, where he held numerous roles including a storeroom clerk and a scaler. He enjoyed fishing, cutting his grass and eating breakfast every morning with the breakfast crew, whether it was at McDonalds or Ronny’s. Most of all, he enjoyed supporting his grandchildren and great grandchildren in any sporting event or activity they were involved in. Mr. Wheeler was a member of Crossview Baptist Church.
He is survived by his daughters and their spouses: Lisa Foster (Barry) and Myra Durden (Mike) all of Fitzgerald; grandchildren: Brad Foster (Haley), Anna Howell (Kyle), and Linsey Cone (Matt); great grandchildren: Kylie Howell, Thomas Howell, Banks Foster, Livi Kate Foster, Ila Cone, Grant Howell and Izzy Cone; also the mother to his daughters, Laverne Wheeler.
Paulk Funeral Home, Fitzgerald, is in charge of arrangements.