Billie Joy Wheeler

OBITUARY: BILLIE JOY PYLANT WHEELER Billie Joy Pylant Wheeler lived up to her name, as she truly enjoyed life and shared that joy with others through her beautiful smile and the sparkle in her eye. Her parents, Herman and Willie O’Dell Pylant, welcomed her into this world on June 2, 1925 and the Lord welcomed her home on August 6, 2019. Billie attended school in Duncan, Oklahoma, prior to working two years for the U.S. Treasury Department in Chicago, Illinois. She married Glen E. Wheeler on April 3, 1947, while attending the University of Oklahoma. The couple lived in Seminole for ten years, where she taught Sunday School at the First Baptist Church. She is currently a member of the Village Baptist Church of Oklahoma City. Seminole residents referred to Billie as the “Pearl Mesta” because of her love for people and her renowned theme parties. Once the Wheelers moved to Stroud, Billie continued to host her theme parties and be involved in her church work. In addition, she worked at Billie’s Dress Shop and De’Lar’s Gifts. She was also a charter member of the Stroud Garden Club and ESA Sorority. She worked ten years with the Miss Oklahoma Pageant. Glen’s retirement from Stroud National Bank brought a change of address for the couple when they moved to the Statesman Independent Living Center in Oklahoma City. The Wheelers were married for 60 years at the time of Glen’s death, and Billie subsequently moved to Stillwater’s Primrose Independent Living Center, where she was remained active and true to her theme in life of making people laugh. Billie’s greatest joys and pleasures in life were her children and grandchildren (her “jewels”), spending time with family and friends, and traveling overseas. She especially wanted each grandchild to have a European background and experience the culture of other countries. Preceding her in death are her husband and parents; her sister, Kathryn Sleeker; and two brothers, Dale Pylant and Jimmie Pylant. Survivors include her children Gaye Trivitt of Stillwater, and Kim and Marilyn Wheeler of Stroud. Grandchildren surviving are: Erin Coleman of Oklahoma City; Vic and Helen Wheeler of McAlester; Morgan and Chris Bilyeu of Owasso; Lindsay and Ryan Bivin of Sand Springs; and Taylor and Lauren Wheeler of Stroud. Also surviving are nine great-grandchildren: Kaemen and Gabe Coleman, Ames and Channing Wheeler, Evan and Liv Bilyeu, Owen Wheeler, and Rae and Drew Bivin. Billie also leaves behind many other precious relatives and close friends and many friends at the Statesman and Primrose. Memorial services for Billie will be held at First Baptist Church of Stroud on Friday, August 9, 2019 at 11:00 am with Pastor David Nolen officiating. Under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Service in Stroud. In lieu of flowers, Billie has requested that contributions in her memory be made to Stroud Baptist Church, or Karman Legacy Hospice, 1311 S. Western Rd., Stillwater, OK 74074.