Willowwood Bridge named after Donald Wheeler

The bridge known to locals as the Willowwood Bridge has been renamed in honor of Seaman Donald Homer Wheeler. In a ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 20, Delegate Roy Cooper and Senator Jack David Woodrum spoke about Seaman Wheeler, his untimely death and the importance of honoring those who served.

At the young age of 17, Wheeler joined the United States Navy. After completing basic training, he was assigned to the USS Boston, a guided missile cruiser. Barely two years after joining the Navy, Seaman Wheeler lost his life. According to the family, Wheeler became Ill before falling overboard and tragically drowning. Seaman Wheeler was only 19 years old at the time of his death.

Had Seaman Wheeler not perished when he did, he would have been aboard his ship when it set sail into the midst of the Cuban Missile Blockade. During the ceremony, Delegate Cooper spoke about the USS Boston. At the time, it was a new cruiser with a missile that could reach 100 miles away. He went on to say, “Donald was part of a system that was much bigger than all of us. He gave and did his part.”

The process to name the bridge after Seaman Wheeler began seemingly by chance. Delegate Cooper recounted a tale in which he spoke at Talcott Elementary School. While closing his speech, Cooper told the gathered children and teachers that everyone has someone in the family associated with the armed services. He noted that one of the children piped up and said, “Even Garry?” while pointing to Garry Wheeler. After a brief moment of consideration, Delegate Cooper stated that he remembered Seaman Donald Wheeler. That event began the interest in honoring Seaman Wheeler by naming a bridge in his honor.

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Delegate Cooper said he was asked how difficult it was to get the bridge named in such a fashion. He stated, “It’s not hard at all with a subject like Donald Wheeler. Not hard at all.” Seaman Wheeler’s sister, Linda Wheeler Cales, shared a similar sentiment saying, “no, not at all,” in response to the same question.

The son of Merle and Shirley Wheeler, Seaman Wheeler was born in February of 1942. He was raised only a small distance from the Willowwood Bridge along with his brothers and sisters. Surviving siblings Billy Wheeler, Ernie Wheeler, Jimmy Wheeler, Garry Wheeler, Jerry Wheeler, Johnny Wheeler, and Linda Cales continue to honor his memory.

In closing, Delegate Cooper said, “I am proud to have been the one sponsor that legislation, but I’m also proud that Garry and Linda got me the information I was able to put through. It was that information that made this sail through with no trouble, and I thank you all.

Linda Cales stated that she felt the most important thing for people to know is, “If you have somebody in your family and you want to have it (name a bridge) done, I think you need to embark upon that.”

If you are interested in having a bridge or road named after a loved one, reach out to your local representatives.