Dr. George B. Wheeler, III

Dr. George B. ‘Doc’ Wheeler, III, passed away on Saturday, July 2, 2016 at the Jolly House following a lengthy illness. Dr. Wheeler was born November 20, 1931 in Marlow, GA and was the only child of Ruth Williams Wheeler and George B. Wheeler, Jr. His father was the Engineer on the Nancy Hank rail line that ran from Augusta to Savannah and his mother ran the post office in Marlow. One of Doc’s earliest memories was of his father throwing out the mailbag to his mother as the train passed through Marlow.

Dr. Wheeler was a graduate of Georgia Military College in Milledgeville and obtained a degree in pharmaceutical medicine from the University of Georgia. While at UGA, he was an active member of the Air Force ROTC. He attended ROTC training at various locations across Georgia, Alabama and Texas and was offered a commission with the Air Force but declined in order to pursue a career in medicine. Dr. Wheeler went on to receive a Doctor of Medicine degree from Georgia Medical College in Augusta specializing in obstetrics and gynecology.

During this time of advanced study, he met a beautiful young nurse named JoAnn Underwood. She would become the love of his life and on September 1, 1956, his beloved wife and his favorite fishing partner for over 50 years. For several years they lived in Athens, Augusta, and Savannah and they were blessed with three children, Donna Ann, Laurie Ruth, and George B. Wheeler IV.

They finally made their home in Brunswick, GA, after Dr. Wheeler joined forces with Dr. Dwight Brown and opened the first OB/GYN practice in this area. NAS Glynco was thriving which increased the need for experienced maternity doctors in Brunswick. In addition to serving as Chief of Staff for Brunswick Memorial Hospital for a year, Dr. Wheeler was the first surgeon in Glynn County to receive National Board Certification as a surgeon in 1968. Dr. Wheeler’s medical knowledge and practice was a great service to this community for nearly 30 years.

Doc’s second love was fishing. He was a passionate fisherman and an avid boater who went on to obtain his captain’s license after retiring from practice. He and JoAnn fished every free moment they had and they were quite good at it!

Dr. Wheeler was preceded in death by his mother and father, Ruth and George Wheeler; wife JoAnn Wheeler; and beloved granddaughter Natalie Ruth Shupe. He is lovingly survived by his children, Donna Shupe (Bobby) from Brunswick, GA; Laurie Bryant (Lee) from Savannah, GA; and George B. Wheeler IV from Brunswick, GA; and his grandchildren, Robert N. ‘Nathan’ Shupe, Jr. (Katherine) from Brunswick, GA; Nicole ‘Niki’ Ruth Fullard (Ray) from Brunswick, GA; and Shelley Ann Bryant from Savannah, GA.

The family will receive friends from 6-8pm on Thursday, July 7 at Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home. A private family funeral service has been planned.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The Hospice of Golden Isles, College Place United Methodist Church in Brunswick, GA or the charity of personal choice. www.edomillerandsons.com