Hillary Brian Wheeler Obituary (1928 - 2011)

Born Mar 20, 1928, Hillary Brian Wheeler attended William Byrd High School in Vinton, VA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Hillary Brian Wheeler.

Graduation Year	Class of 1948
Date of Birth	Mar 20, 1928
Date of Passing	Feb 21, 2011
About	H.Brian Wheeler, 82, of Roanoke, Va. died instantly in a car wreck at 419 and Brookwood on Monday, February 21, 2011, after just leaving Food Lion for his daily visit. Brian was born on March 20, 1928, in Ohio to Corinne and Hillary Lee Wheeler and was raised in Vinton, Va., graduating from William Byrd High School in 1948. He served his country during the Korean Conflict as a Corporal in the United States Army from 1950 to 1952. During that time, Brian was a member of the Army's 279th Infantry Division's popular "Have-No-Four-Plus-One" quartet, born in the shower room at Shimamatsu when Brian and three buddies joined in a makeshift rendition of "Way Down in Columbus, Georgia." They performed at service clubs and company parties. In 1949, Brian met Janie Belle Pollard at Radford College on a blind date and immediately fell in love. Brian was a smooth jitterbugger and often serenaded Janie by playing his guitar and singing. They married in 1952 and raised two daughters, Julie Ann (now deceased) and Amy Jo, in Roanoke, Va. Brian and Janie were married 56 years. Brian was loved by those who knew him. He was gentle and charming, the consummate gentleman. He generously helped those in need. As an award-winning traveling salesman for Steel Service for 20 years, Brian helped motorists stranded on the highway. His friendliness and sense of humor extended far and wide as he touched individuals daily. He enjoyed chatting with people and made people feel important. One friend remarked that Brian was the most personable man he had ever met. A store manager said the staff felt that Brian, as a customer, was part of their family. Brian's best friend, Doug Wirt, said that while serving in Korea, Brian would ease tension and boost morale with his sense of humor. He always uplifted people. After leaving Steel Service, Brian utilized his entrepreneurial skills, owning Car Tune Clinic, an auto repair shop, until the mid 1980s. Brian loved solving mechanical problems and was also a self-taught woodworker, having built wall shelves for his family's home. Brian was a devoted family man, taking his role as provider seriously, and was a very supportive, loving, and affectionate husband and father. Brian was preceded in death, in addition to his parents, by his wife, Janie Belle Pollard Wheeler, and his daughter, Julie Ann Wheeler Kiracofe. Surviving are his daughter, Amy Jo Wheeler; and grandson, Kendryek Rayne Wheeler, both of whom will receive friends on Monday, February 28, 2011 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Oakey's South Chapel on Brambleton Avenue. Interment will be held Thursday, March 3, 2011 at 10 a.m. at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens on Airport Road, followed by a celebration service at 11 a.m. Thursday at Unity of Roanoke Valley, located at 3300 Green Ridge Road, 540/562-2200. A reception will follow the celebration service.