Paul Wheeler, 1934-2013

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PRICE- Our loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend, William Paul Wheeler, passed away suddenly at Castleview Hospital on Dec. 12, 2013. Paul was born May 23, 1934 to William Joseph and Elva Anderson Wheeler in Springville, Utah. He married the love of his life, Betty Penovich Wheeler on June 8, 1959. Their love for each other grew stronger with each passing year throughout their 54 year marriage.
Paul served in the United States Navy, 1952-1956, during the Korean War. After attending pipefitting school, he went to Astoria, Oregon where he served aboard an L.S.T. and he also served as a Naval Shore Patrol.
After returning to Carbon County, he attended school for pipefitting journeyman in Salt Lake. He worked in several states as a pipefitting supervisor and superintendent on many power plants and dams including Flaming Gorge Dam from start to finish, and the Hydro-electric dam in Venezuela (one of the largest in the world) for Kaiser Engineering. He taught classes to apprentice pipefitters in the evenings at College of Eastern Utah.
He retired from Price City Public Works in 2000 as the Water and Sewer Supervisor where he made some long lasting friendships in the community and at work.
Over the years, Paul enjoyed his life in Carbon County being involved in organizations such as the Elk’s Lodge, Carbon Country Club, and served, for 30 years, as a member of the Carbon County Sherriff’s Search and Rescue and various other organizations in Carbon County. He was a member of Local #57 for 57 years and also a member of the N.R.A.
He loved being at his cabin in Scofield with his family and friends, and snowmobiling with the “Scofield Bunch”. He enjoyed watching the Jazz, going to dinners with family and friends, and visiting his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, hunting, traveling, water skiing the warm waters of Lake Powell or the frigid waters of Scofield. His two favorite activities of the year were the Carbon County Demolition Derby (which his son won 1st place as a teenager in 1980) and the Scofield Snowmobile Ride. He was an avid reader (his daughter kept him well supplied with best sellers and lots of books).
Paul is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 54 years, Betty; son, Scott (Shelly); daughter, Betty Jo (Bob); six grandchildren, Katie, Brittani, Nicole, William, Kyle and Kevin; three great-grandchildren, Kylie, Shawn, Charlee, and a fourth, Renee, on the way; sister-in-law, Katherine Winters; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and sisters Delores and Louise; parents-in-law, Joseph Penovich Sr. and Katie Penovich; brothers-in-law and sisters in-law, Robert Penovich, Joe and Barbara Penovich, Lester Winters, Agnes and Frank James, Ruth and Dave Dillon, JoAnne Penovich, and Bill Hinkins.
He will be missed for his compassion, kindness, generosity and his support in helping others.
Funeral service, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2013, 11 a.m. Mitchell Funeral Home (233 East Main Street, Price). Family will receive friends Tuesday evening at Mitchell Funeral Home from 6-7 p.m. and Wednesday one hour prior to service. Interment, Price City Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price where friends are welcome to share memories of Paul online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.