WHEELER, Clifford Lee

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona, Tuesday, November 12, 2013 Clifford Lee Wheeler On Jan. 2, of this year, a very special man began the next chapter of this amazing journey we call life. Clifford Lee Wheeler was born in Fresno, Calif. on June 4, 1923 to Christopher Lee Wheeler and Bonnie Christena (Beal) Wheeler but lived all but his first two years as a resident of Arizona. Cliff's Military service, in the U.S. Army, spanned 20 years in which time he served in both WWII and Korea. He was very committed to and proud of his career choice and was honored to serve his country. After retiring in 1964, Cliff went to work for Motorola as an engineering tech until retiring from there in 1980. He was the kind of man people enjoyed meeting, a true friend in every sense of the word. He loved his friends, and loved and was devoted to his family. We are all richer for having known him. Cliff was a gentle man, a true gentleman who opened doors for people, helped folks who needed a hand and had an open door policy for those who needed a place to be - most especially many young people. He admired John Wayne for who he was, for all he stood for and for the fact that he loved this country so much. In many ways, Cliff was very much like him. Cliff loved the outdoors, with camping, hunting and fishing being a big part of that love. He taught his daughter how to shoot a bow, to use a firearm safely and how to fish. And then, in turn, it gave him great joy to be able to pass some of those skills on to his grandsons. He was the ultimate "'Mr. Fix It." There was nothing he couldn't build, design, fabricate or repair. His daughter, at age 8, told the neighborhood children that they should bring all their broken toys to her house because her Daddy could fix anything! Cliff joined a local Korean War Veterans group in 2011 and enjoyed the camaraderie he found there with the other Veterans. In his later years, Cliff had to deal with many major health issues, but he was never one to complain. He chose to accept the hand life dealt him with quiet dignity. Cliff received full military honors both in Prescott at the Veterans Chapel as well as in New Hampshire at Cathedral of the Pines, giving many friends and relatives the opportunity to say their farewells. The final closure was in October at the Veterans Cemetery in Prescott. Cliff is survived by Ruth, his loving wife of 40 years; his daughter Dawn Maxey (Chris); grandsons William Christopher Maxey, Vincent Cameron Maxey, Christopher Lynn Greene; and a large number of extended family and friends. Death is not extinguishing the light, just simply turning out the lamp because the dawn has come. Information provided by survivors.