Mr. James Earl Wheeler, 76, was the oldest child of Earnest Wheeler and Malissia Whitfield Wheeler. He departed this life on Wednesday, August 2, 2017.

James graduated from George Washington Carver High School in 1959. He attended Norfolk State University, majoring in Electrical Engineering. He served in the United States Army and was a Vietnam War veteran. He was employed by Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company.

James was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Shirley Jean Wheeler Thomas and Mildred Delsenia Wheeler; and nephews, Derek Thomas, Sr. and Nathaniel "Skip" Thomas.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Doris Garrett Wheeler; his sisters, Doris Wheeler Harmon (Horace), Jacqueline E. Wheeler, Evangeline Gale Wheeler and Brenda Wheeler Brown; one brother, Earnest A. Wheeler; nieces, nephews, aunts, an uncle, a host of other relatives and friends.

A homegoing service will be held 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at Walter Temple AME Zion Church, 4202 Roanoke Ave., Newport News. Interment will follow in Hampton Memorial Gardens. Viewing will be from 1-6 p.m., Monday at the funeral home and two hours prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. O.H. Smith & Son Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.