Mr. Wheeler Smith

Smith, Wheeler "Whee" died peacefully in his home on July 22, 2019, after having lived a full 100 years. Born on March 15, 1919, he was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Guyla Allbee Smith and his brothers, Arthur P. Smith, Jr. and David W. Smith. He is survived by his sister, M. Gay Conklin, his son Steven and his wife Joy and their six children: Adam, David and his wife Krista, Luke, Sarah Joy, Isaac and Peter. He is also survived by his daughter, Gayla Hiar and her two children: Erica, and Corbin and his wife Susanna and their daughter Lyla. Whee travelled the world, but never strayed far from his beloved Minneapolis. He graduated valedictorian from Washburn High School, Phi Beta Kappa from Harvard, and also earned his law degree from Harvard after serving in the Navy (South Pacific) during World War II. Following his marriage to Guyla in 1947, Whee launched his law practice by examining titles at Shearer, Byard, Trogner and Peters. In 1950 he began work for John B. Hawley's Northern Pump Company specializing in oil and gas, and as counsel for Northern Ordnance dealing with government contracts. In the early 1980's Whee started his own practice with a goal to provide quality legal services for a nominal fee. Throughout the years, beginning after high school (1936) and continuing until 2015, Whee documented his life and experiences in weekly family letters which he indexed and bound into 24 volumes. His true love, however, was what he called his "career of the spirit". In this area Whee was a member of Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church for 88 years and held many positions within the church. He was proudest of serving on the Commission on Missions for 20 years. He taught elementary Sunday school for many years, even when he was in his 90's. Whee also enjoyed serving on the Board of N.I.P. (Neighborhood Improvement Program). Whee loved all types of athletics including diving while at Harvard, tennis, and golf. During the Minnesota winters he enjoyed skating and skate sailing on the lake. Whee belonged to the FMC Twilight Golf League for over 50 years and delivered Meals on Wheels for over 30 years. The golf league created a sportsmanship award in his honor called the Wheeler Smith Claret Jug. He was an active member and officer in organizations too numerous to name, but believed strongly that because he had been blessed he was to be a blessing. His family and friends will honor this man who lived life to the fullest at a Celebration of Life service on September 21, 2019, at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church at 11 AM. Instead of flowers, the family requests that you donate to Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church (please specify Outreach Ministries) or to Meals on Wheels.

Tributes

Mr. Wheeler Smith

March 15, 1919 - July 22, 2019

Tributes

Mr. Wheeler Smith

March 15, 1919 - July 22, 2019

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