Raymond Wheeler

Former longtime Wood River Valley resident, Raymond (Ray) McKinley Wheeler, 84, peacefully passed away at his home in Rathdrum, ID, Sunday December 26, 2010.

Ray was born September 28, 1926 in Spokane, WA to parents Byrl and Loreatta (Rita Maddix) Wheeler. Ray was the second born of Rita’s three sons.

Ray was raised in the northwest. When Pearl Harbor happened he wanted to leave school and enlist. His mother demanded he finish school, and if the war was still happening he could then join the fray. In 1944 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and proudly served aboard the LCDS 123 in the Pacific Theatre.

In 1949 Ray married Shirley Wheat. They had 4 children together. The marriage ended in 1962. He later was briefly wed to Karen Turner and fathered another daughter. In 1965 Ray met and married his final true love, Joy Pattison. Their union was blessed with 2 sons.

In his lifetime Ray was a “jack of all trades.” He worked as a cross-country trucker, logger, miner, and mechanic to name a few. He also worked many years in law enforcement beginning in Ketchum, ID as deputy marshal and then for Blaine County Sheriff’s Department as a deputy. While working in law enforcement, Ray saw firsthand the need for a quick response unit. So, in 1973 he founded the Blaine County Search and Rescue where he served as commander for over 10 years. Ray was also a licensed electrician working as Lead Electrician for Sun Valley Company. Following retirement to north Idaho he was a licensed electrical contractor and was the owner/operator of Wheeler Electric.

Ray had a passion for hunting, fishing and spending as much of his time outdoors as possible. He also loved snowmobile racing and riding in the winter. He was a member of the Sawtooth Snowmobile Club for many years.

Ray loved his family, storytelling, and a good laugh. As a prankster he was hard to beat. His warmth and laughter will be missed.

Ray is survived by his wife Joy and grandson Robert Wheeler, who they are raising, of Rathdrum, ID; brother Kenneth Bundy of Athol, ID; daughters Eileen Mulhern of Post Falls, ID; Julia Springer of Hailey, ID, and Lari Stofel of Columbia, TN; sons Steven Wheeler and Dennis Wheeler of Rathdrum, ID. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents Byrl and Rita, his brother Roy, two of his sons; Michael and Robert, and grandson James.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Disabled American Veterans Group at www.dav.org.

A memorial service was held on Friday December 31, 2010 at the Yates Funeral Home in Hayden, Idaho. Graveside military services under the care of Wood River Chapel will take place next spring in Hailey, Idaho.