First Posted: 6/11/2012

Precious Lord, take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home!

On June 10, 2012, Norman Austin Wheeler, husband, father, brother, friend and minister to so many, was led home by his precious Lord after a brief illness.

Pastor Norman Wheelers life of service will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on June 13 at Potts Presbyterian Church in Penderlea conducted by the Revs. V.C. Potter, Bob Millis and Royce Williams. Afterwards he will be laid to rest in the Potts cemetery adjacent to the church beside Kay. Casket bearers will be Roy Sikes, Leroy Sikes, Willie Moore, Neil Moore, Leroy Rising and Randy Graham.

Norman was born in 1933 in Pender County. He was to be one of six children born to Austin and Melrose Garriss Wheeler of the Watha community. He spoke with great affection and fond memories of his childhood years with his brothers Pat, Richard, Tommy, and David and his sister, Louise.

Norman graduated Penderlea School in 1950 and after service in the U.S. Air Force stationed in the Phillipines, he returned to Pender County and married his high school sweetheart, Kay Murphy Wheeler in 1953. Kay preceded her husband Norman in death in 2007 after 54 years of marriage and three children.

Following discharge from the Air Force and marriage to Kay, Norman began his career with the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad but soon answered the call to the ministry.

God, you are my GodI will praise you as long as I live. (Psalm 63) God richly blessed Norman enabling him to answer His call beginning in 1960 and for the next 52 years.

Norman served Baptist churches as a minister across Southeastern North Carolina including Calvary and Silver Lake in Wilmington, Rocky Point, Westfield in Dunn, Salem in Sneads Ferry, East Lumberton, Shiloh in Chinquapin, Centerville in Kelly, and most recently, Ivanhoe Baptist in western Pender County where he preached his last sermon on May 27, 2012. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, gardening, reading, crossword puzzles and spending time with his family.

Great is thy faithfulness. All I have needed, thy hands have provided.

Surviving Norman and Kay are their three daughters, Lydia Wheeler, Jean Allman(Steve) and Leigh Baxley(Rick) plus grandchildren, Amanda and Kathryn Allman, Josh Barnes and Ryan Baxley.

The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Padgett Funeral Home in Wallace.

Memorials may be made to the Lower Cape Fear Hospice & Life Care Center, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, N.C., 28401.

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God.(John 14)

To sign the guest book, please go to www.padgettfuneralhome.net.