Bert Wheeler

Bert William Wheeler, affectionately known as “POP POP” was the son of the late Luther James Wheeler and Elizabeth Randolph Wheeler. He was born September 6, 1922 in Charlotte, Virginia and departed this life on Tuesday, November 13, 2018. At an early age, his parents relocated to Montgomery, West Virginia where he graduated from Booker T. Washington high school. He was an all-star basketball player and he also loved football. After high school, Bert worked for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Company as well as the State of West Virginia’s Department of Mines as a coal miner. At the age of 24, he began his military career with the United States Army. He began his military training in Fort Hayes, Ohio and then sent to Fort Warren, Wyoming as a heavy-duty convoy truck driver. In preparation for World War II, Bert was deployed from Fort George G. Meade, Maryland to Normandy in Northern France. His tour of duty lasted for 18 months and he returned to the United States where he was stationed in New Orleans, Louisiana. He received the Good Conduct Medal, The European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon and The World War II Victory Ribbon. He returned home speaking two additional languages German and French. After returning home from the war, Bert dated Oderies Miller and from that union a daughter, Deborah Kay Barron was born. Several years later Bert relocated to Baltimore, Maryland where he began a career with the Social Security Administration. Bert was a sharp dresser and he was known for taking pride in his appearance and his work. November 28, 1990 he was honored by The Social Security Administration for 40 years of government service. Bert accepted Christ as his Savior early in life at the St. John’s Baptist Church in Union, West Virginia. He read his bible and he prayed. He was a member of the MD Charter Boat Association and he loved to catch rock fish and bass with his buddies, Sam, Purcell, Frank and JB. Bert enjoyed playing cards, shopping, dancing, cooking and listening to jazz. His favorite song was “ Blueberry Hill” by Fats Domino. He loved the holidays and spending time with family and friends. He would give advice on everything. He lived on his own until age 87 and then moved to The Clem and Doll Assisted Living Facility where Mrs. Ingrid, Juanita, Evelyn (preceded him in death) and Louise cared for him for the past 9 years. He leaves to cherish his memory: one daughter, Deborah Kay Barron; two granddaughters, Jerrae (Shantay Hurt) husband, Randy Hurt and Torey Somerville; five great grandchildren; five sisters, Margaret King, Ernestine Davenport, Linda Neal, Norma Jean Whiteside (who preceded him in death), and Mary E. Crump (who preceded him in death); and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and loving friends.

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Bert Wheeler

September 6, 1922 - November 13, 2018