Edward Paul Wheeler

Paul Wheeler, 54, of Paragould, went home to be with the Lord, May 2, 2012 in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He was born January 2, 1958 in Lexington, TN and moved to Paragould in 1970. He worked for the Lawrence County Assessor’s Office. Paul was a devoted husband, father, brother, brother-in-law and uncle. He was a member of Pine Knot Church of Christ and a devout servant of the Lord. Paul loves God, his community and his family. He has volunteered several things throughout his life in Greene and Lawrence County. He was a 1976 graduate of Paragould High School. He played left defensive tackle in football on the undefeated conference champions of 1975 and 1976 coached by Bill Keedy and Butch Duncan. Paul never lost his love of playing sports. He helped coach his nephew, Tommy Ricker, T-Ball in 1986 at Bland Park and continued by coaching his sons and niece, Michael Wheeler, Jon Wheeler and Ashley Ricker, until 2006. His teams won 4 league championships. Paul also helped coach Paragould All-Star team with George Taylor and Barry Davis that won the State Championship in 2001 and state runner-up in 2002. The team picture is hanging on the press box on the 11-12 fields at Bland Park. Paul coached football for the Boys and Girls Club from 1994 to 2002. His teams had 2 undefeated seasons. The team was the Green Bay Packers and Raiders. Paul also umpired several league games at Bland Park and Rotary Park. His love was umpiring the 9 and 10 year league. Paul was preceded in death by his mother, Betty Wheeler, sisters, Mildred "Pug" Olive and Betty Ann Wheeler, grandmother, Alice Wilkins, father-in-law, Thomas Sims, Aunt Ann Smith and Uncle George Smith. Survivors include his wife, Jane Wheeler of the home, sons and daughter-in-law: Michael and Jade Wheeler, Jon Wheeler, all of Paragould; sister and brother-in-law: Paula and Michael Taylor of Tyronza; mother-in-law: Berta Sims of Paragould; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Danny and Gail Sims of Paragould, Jamie and Rita Sims of Leesburg, VA, Rocky and Lorene Ricker of Paragould and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 Thursday night at Heath Funeral Home. His life will be celebrated at 3:00 PM Friday at Heath Colonial Chapel with Bill Drake officiating. Burial will follow at Pine Knot Cemetery. "Paulbearers" are: Mike Mitchell, George Taylor, Rocky Ricker, Dennis Risinger, Ronnie Hopper and Karry Davis. Honorary Pallbearers are members of the 1975 and 1976 Paragould Bulldog Football Teams. Memorials may be made to the Pine Knot Cemetery Fund or the Children's Home of Paragould. To sign online guestbook, go to www.heathfuneralhome.com.