LCDR Owen Edward "Wheels" Wheeler, US Navy, Ret., 93, of Columbia, died Tuesday, October 28, 2014. Born November 12, 1920, in Huntington, WV, he was a son of the late Owen and Irma Louise Hatten Wheeler. Owen served his country as a U.S. Navy pilot, enlisting soon after the start of World War II. Almost exactly 70 years ago, the ship on which he was serving, the escort carrier USS Gambier Bay, was hit by enemy fire during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. He jumped from the sinking ship into the Pacific Ocean, where he remained adrift with hundreds of other shipmates for almost two days. After his rescue, he joined a re-formed squadron and served the remainder of the war aboard the USS Fanshaw Bay. In 1945, Owen flew the official surrender papers of the Japanese Imperial Navy, North Pacific Fleet, from Mutsu Bay to Yokohama, Japan. In September 1947, he was aboard the USS Missouri, bringing President Truman home from the Inter-American Conference in Rio de Janeiro. Owen remained in the military, serving as a pilot in the U.S. Navy, until 1963, when he retired and settled in South Carolina, the birthplace of his wife, Bonnie Beamguard Wheeler. The Wheelers, who married in 1949, continued to call South Carolina "home" for the rest of their lives. They traveled extensively and appreciated the people, geography, and cuisines of every place they visited. Owen never wanted to visit the same place twice. His life-list of places visited includes more than 120 past and current countries of the globe. After his retirement from Champion International Paper (formerly U.S. Plywood), Owen volunteered at the Soup Cellar, preparing meals for the homeless, and at Meals on Wheels, delivering meals to home-bound clients until he was in his 90s and thereafter working to pack meals for delivery. He also volunteered for the Red Cross, working in the pharmacy at Moncrief Army Community Hospital on Fort Jackson. He continued to volunteer faithfully until his death. In addition to his regular volunteer work, Owen was active in his church, Incarnation Lutheran Church. At home, he loved to cook and to experiment in the kitchen. He was most proud of his service to his country, which manifested in many ways, from his career in the U.S. Navy to his commitment to his jobs, employers, and employees in civilian life, to his love of and devotion to his family, and his voluntary service to church and charity. Owen died shortly after returning from a military reunion in San Diego, commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Leyte Gulf. There, he met many old friends and shared his personal stories with midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy. Owen died at home.

He is survived by his daughter, Jennifer A. Wheeler, of Vernon, CT, by Barry Chernoff, of Middletown, CT, and by his sister, Donna Jean Ball of Kenova, WV. Owen was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie Beamguard Wheeler; and brothers, Frank and James Wheeler.

A memorial service for Mr. Wheeler will be held 1 o'clock, Friday, October 31st, at Incarnation Lutheran Church, with The Rev. Dr. Mary W. Anderson, The Rev. Dr. James C. Parham IV, and The Rev. Dr. David A. Donges officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the church's reception hall. Mr. Wheeler will be buried at Ft. Jackson National Cemetery with full military honors, during a private family service.

Memorials may be made to Incarnation Lutheran Church's Memorial Fund, 3005 Devine St, Columbia, SC 29205; Meals on Wheels, c/o Senior Resources, 2817 Millwood Ave, Columbia, SC 29205; or to the Red Cross, 2751 Bull St, Columbia, SC 29202.