Raymond D. Wheeler, Sr. was born in Mount Hope, West Virginia on January 11, 1941 to the late David Q. and Blanche E. Wheeler. He was the second child out of six siblings and was predeceased by his brothers George D. and Richard N. Wheeler.
Raymond attended elementary school in Mount Hope, West Virginia. The family relocated to Newark, New Jersey where he attended public school, and then graduated from Arts High School in 1959. He continued his education and became one of the first to graduate from the Newark Construction Trades Training Program.
Raymond worked as a carpenter with the Essex County Carpenter's Local 1342 until he retired in 1998. He was a hard worker. In 1994 he had a bad accident on the job and had to take time off but he was determined to go back to work. He continued to do so until his injury forced his early retirement.
Raymond met the love of his life, Chrystal, on April 11, 1980. They dated seven years and married in April 1987. When Raymond started dating Chrystal, he knew what he had to do if he wanted to keep her, so he started attending church and on April 4, 1992, he decided to give his heart to Jesus. That Sunday morning he was baptized along with his son, Raymond, Jr.
Raymond Darnell Wheeler Sr. ended his journey from Grace to Glory on Monday, December 24, 2012. He leaves to mourn his loving wife of 25 years, his four children, three brothers, one sister, and a host of other family members and friends. Everybody loved Raymond! He had a big heart. He was caring and had a no nonsense attitude so you always knew what he stood for. He would tell you like it is and love you at the same time. He was a "man's man."