Wheeler was born in 1918 in Hamilton, Ontario.
[2] During his life, Wheeler worked for Dofasco for 46 years.
In 1960, Wheeler was elected alderman for Hamilton's East end from Hamilton, Ontario City Council, a position he held for a total of 28 years.
[3] Wheeler also played a major role in establishing the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, and later sat on the Hall of Fame's induction committee.
[1] Wheeler died on 21 October 2012, age 93, after a long illness.