Houston R. Wheeler
July 3, 1918 ~ December 24, 2010
The Field of Dreams gained another valuable player on Christmas Eve when long time Trinity University coach and athlete Houston R. Wheeler passed on to a better life at the age of 92. Houston lived a full life with an amazing amount of accomplishments. He was a World War II Navy veteran having served "3 years, 11 months, 12 days & 7 hours" (a time line that he loved to laughingly repeat.) Houston was most proud of his long history in the Trinity University family. Distinguished Alumni Wheeler graduated from Trinity in 1941 (in Waxahachie, Texas), with a Bachelor of Arts in business administration. As a student-athlete, he was captain of the football team, made all-conference in basketball, & was inducted in the "Who's Who of Academic Athletes". After graduating he joined the staff of Trinity & was head basketball coach & assistant football coach in the 1950s & early 60's before taking control of the Trinity Tiger Baseball team in 1963. He coached the team until 1985. While coaching the Tigers, Distinguished Alumni Wheeler garnered a number of major awards including NCAA Division III Coach of the Year repeatedly. He was also proud to have been inducted in to the Trinity University Athletic Hall of Fame. In addition, Mr. Wheeler was Professor of Health and Physical Education at Trinity University. Even after his retirement in 1985 he remained very involved in the activities at Trinity & rarely missed athletic games or campus functions. Houston enjoyed playing golf, tennis, Bridge, & watching sports in any form. Those who were lucky enough to meet him knew he was quick with a smile, funny story, or an encouraging word. He was most happy sitting at the piano, which he played by ear, conducting one of his famous "sing-a-longs" with friends & family gathered around. He attended & ushered at the Alamo Heights United Methodist Church where he rarely missed a Sunday service. Houston was preceded in death by his precious wife of 55 years, Helen Cone Wheeler; his oldest daughter, Gail Wheeler Engel, his only son, William Houston Wheeler, Jr., and his grandson, Christopher Lance Engel. He leaves to miss his never ending love & devotion, his brother, Lonnie Cockerell Wheeler & wife Wanda; daughter, Meredith Ann Wheeler & life partner Squeeky Luce, son-in-law, Earl Engel; granddaughter-in-law, Christy Engel, & great-grandson, Xander Bryce Engel. The family would like to thank long time family friend, Rev. Raymond Judd, Rev. Donna Strieb, & all the compassionate caregivers that took such great care of Houston over the last month. A memorial service celebrating the life of Coach Wheeler will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, January 8, 2011 at the Parker Chapel on the Trinity campus. In lieu of flowers, the family humbly requests donations be made in Houston's memory to either the Trinity University Athletic Department or to the Alamo Heights United Methodist Church.
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Your continuous upbeat demeanor was a huge source of comfort for anyone who attended Trinity University during your tenure. Your laughter and jokes will be missed along with your unending enthusiasm for baseball and life in general. May your family find comfort in knowing that you touched many lives and provided inspiration to hundreds of young adults. You will be greatly missed.
Mr. Wheeler was my swimming instructor at Trinity in 1961-1962. He was one of those rare teacher-coaches that made a non-athlete like me attempt and succeed at feats she never dreamed possible. He was a wonderful inspiration and I have never forgotten him. My condolences, Nell Mitchell
Mr. Wheeler is an amazing man who touched so many, including myself. I will miss you my dear freind. My thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and friends. God Bless. Roslyn
I was fortunate to have known Coach Wheeler since 1969 and played for him at Trinity. He was truly a man you could respect and know that he was always there for you. Thank you Coach for being there to help me in life’s experiences and on the baseball field. We have lost a great man but he is now in a much better place. My prayers go out to the family during this time. God Bless, Ross Burgdorf
I played on the ’67-’71 TU baseball team and look back with great memories of Coach Wheeler. He was an important part of the lives of all of us on the team. Well done, Coach. God bless the Wheeler family.
TO: Family of Houston Wheeler, We mourn with you at the death of your beloved Houston. We are involved with mankind, as was Houston. His demise diminishes us all. Best wishes.
Coach Wheeler was a person who treated everyone with respect and truly cared for those around him. I can picture him now with some of his players and friends who passed before him sitting around talking about Trinity. We are all blessed for having known him.
Dear Meredith, There’s almost no chance that you’d remember me, but I remember YOU and am really sad to hear of the losses of, basically, your entire family. Bless your heart…. I was Gail’s baton-twirling students, and am the older sister of your former classmate, Billy Thomas. I haven’t lived in San Antonio since 1968, but Billy tries to keep me up-to-date on happenings in S.A., so I knew when you lost your mother and your brother Houston, and more recently, both your sister Gail and now your Father. I can only imagine how you’re feeling and I know there’s really nothing anyone can say that would help, but I wanted to send my love and condolences anyway. I remember you as a bright and often funny kid; I recall one Saturday morning in particular when you were returning from a dentist’s appointment; you stormed into the house, grumbling loudly something about having to get “all dressed up for nothing but TROUBLE!”…you weren’t kidding but you cracked us all up. I know your family loved you dearly and would want you to be happy again as soon as you can manage it……easily said but terribly hard with so many losses….I’m just sorry for what you’ve been going through and hope you know that there are still lots of people who care about you, people you’d never think of… Hang in there, kiddo. Courage. -Love, Cathey Thomas
The TU “family” has lost a fine statesman in Coach Wheeler! He gave many young people the opportunity to learn life lessons, and participate in sports at a tremendous institution. God be with you, & the entire Wheeler family.
Coach Wheeler you will be missed. I enjoyed our visits over the years and can remember the last visit when the Mahler’s were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009. Your warm smile will be a lasting memory. You touched so many lives over the years and the lasting friendships with teammates is a testament to the true gentlmen that you were. I am sure that there will be a Field Of Dreams and someday we will all be back to play for you again. Until then know you will always be close to our hearts.
Boy do I remember those sing-alongs by the piano!! Houston made us all sound good! I will certainly miss seeing him at Meredith’s to watch the Cowboys – He was a great father and person – God bless his family
Thanks for all the good memories of friendship, games of tennis and 35 years of bridge. I will never forget those Saturday mornings. Some times that was the highlight of the week.
Meredith, Your dad was a great man. I remember him taking Ben to the batting cage at 5 years old to learn baseball. He was always so kind. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
We go back to the 40’s when Houston first came to Trinity. We have kept up with him throughout the years and have always respected his close relationships to all. He will be missed. We also knew him at the Engles lake place as we had a place next door in Marbla Falls. One great man whose memories will be kept by many former students. Thought and prayers to the whole family.
Coach Wheeler was an outstanding coach and mentor. He taught on the field and off, with many life-lessons along the way. I have beautiful memories from my days at Trinity,playing baseball for him…1962-1965. His was a life well-lived. He will be missed.
A donation in the memory of Coach Wheeler was made to the Trinity Athletic fund (baseball). Our sincere condolences to the family.