Obituary of William Franklin Wheelock, Jr

William Franklin Wheelock Jr., whom many lovingly referred to as Bill, was the first of ten children born. He was born on March 23, 1939, in Holyoke, Massachusetts. 

Bill approached life with a sense of duty, balanced with the knowledge of how important it is to always have a little fun.

He served as a “Seabee” or in the Construction Battalion branch of the US Navy fulfilling his duty to honor his country, but he didn’t miss the opportunity to race Jeeps down the beaches of Vietnam during his downtime. He honored his family by working in his family’s painting business during his youth, while never missing an opportunity to lovingly tease or have a bit of fun with any one of his nine siblings. 

He later continued his family’s legacy by remaining in the painting industry for nearly 40 years on Florida’s west coast, serving clients and managing employees with respect, while also getting to know them well enough to crack a joke anytime he saw them. He even managed to hold on to his love of racing by driving a company-sponsored 1931 vintage Ford Model A around a local racetrack until he was 79.

You could always count on Bill to be there whenever you needed him, and you knew that he was going to bring a little bit of fun with him wherever he went. It was this approach to life that made him loved by friends, family, and colleagues alike.

Bill passed at age 82 on March 1, 2022, leaving behind his adoring wife Cheryl, his six children, his six remaining siblings, six grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews, and many friends who will always carry the memory of Bill in their hearts.

A Celebration of Life will be held April 20, 2022 from 10am to 1pm at Farley Funeral Home and Crematory in Venice, FL. Bill will be laid to rest at Sarasota National Cemetery following the gathering on April 20, 2022 at 2:00pm.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider making a donation in Bill's honor to either Ameican Lung Association or the COPD Foundation.

American Lung Association: https://www.lung.org/donation

COPD Foundation: https://www.copdfoundation.org/Take-Action/Donate/Donate-Now.aspx