William "Billy" Ralph Wheeler

William "Billy" Ralph Wheeler, age 59 of Little Rock passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 15, 2010. Billy was a beautiful, sensitive, sweet and loving soul. An accomplished artist and singer, songwriter and was secretly shy. Billy loved performing his songs for an audience. Charismatic, charming, and handsome, he loved people, animals, sailboats, working with his hands, and philosophizing about life. He loved deeply and freely, giving himself fully to the care of others. A devoted father, he was very proud of his daughters and their accomplishments. A member of the Baha'i Faith, Billy believed in racial and gender equality, world peace, and that all religions worship the same God. He cherished the simple things in life, spending time with friends and family, writing and receiving a letter or card, a good movie, a tasty breakfast or a hot cup of coffee. He was greatly loved and will be deeply missed by all whom he touched. Billy was preceded in death by his mother Bobbie Lois Shelton Chote, maternal grandparents Carrie Lois Shelton and William Louis Shelton. He is survived by two daughters, Sharea Wheeler of Little Rock and Kerina Goucher of Maumelle; four brothers, Jerry Nott of Little Rock, George Wheeler of Little Rock, Teddy Wheeler of Seattle, Washington and Harold Wheeler of Montana; six sisters, Terri Brakebill of Little Rock, Yvonne Goodwin of Montana, Debbie Pulley of Shreveport, Louisiana, Kathy Mauro of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Laura Christensen of Hillsville, Texas and Janice Wlodkowski of Minnesota; his devoted step-father Clarence Coleman Chote of Shreveport, La., a very special friend Phyllis Ruocco of Little Rock, beloved aunts and uncles, and a host of nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be 2 p.m., Monday, September 20, 2010 at Griffin Leggett Forest Hills Funeral Home, 10200 Highway 5 North, Alexander, Ark. (501) 455-1067. A visitation will be Sunday, September 19, 2010 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations will be accepted to the Billy Wheeler Fund, c/o The Bahai's of Little Rock, 511 North Pine Street, Little Rock, Ark. 72205.