Warren Story Wheeler, Jr.

Warren Story Wheeler Jr. (Buddy) October 5, 1941 – March 4, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Warren Story Wheeler Jr. (Buddy), a beloved father, grandfather, and friend, who left us on March 4, 2025. Born on October 5, 1941, in Bradenton, Florida, to Doris Collins Wheeler and Warren S. Wheeler Sr., Warren—known as Buddy to many—lived a life marked by hard work, perseverance, and a dry wit. He was always quick to share a Civil War fact or quiz folks on their knowledge of collective nouns, letting you know in no uncertain terms that it’s a memory of elephants and a raft of otters. If you asked, he could also teach you the Electric Slide at a moment’s notice. Warren was a man of many talents and interests.

Warren’s career with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as an air traffic controller spanned nearly 28 years. He loved aviation and often said it was the perfect career for him—one he “loved every minute” of.

Beyond his FAA career, Warren had many passions and accomplishments. In 1976, after a decade of dedicated pilot training, he earned his commercial pilot’s license.

An avid outdoorsman, Warren cherished hunting trips and fishing excursions with friends. He spent countless mornings casting his line at the Mayport jetties or down at Little Gasparilla Pass. In certain circles, he was fondly known as the Cast Net King. His passion for fishing led him to create an instructional video in the late ‘90s, The Art of Cast Net Throwing, a project that became a staple in sporting goods stores and even reached retail giants like Walmart. His entrepreneurial spirit connected him with cast net enthusiasts across the region, and he relished swapping tips over the phone and shooting the breeze while making another sale.

Warren was also an expert in the art of the fish fry. Using a gas cooker he welded himself, he had the process down to a science, ensuring every piece of fish and shrimp was cooked to golden perfection. These fish fries became a cherished family tradition, bringing people together to share the catch of the day.

His intellectual curiosity led him to a deep appreciation for history and languages. He immersed himself in self-study before pushing through his doubts about returning to school later in life. Warren took every available course at local colleges to expand his knowledge of Spanish and Russian.

One of the greatest joys of Warren's life was dancing with his beloved wife, Judy. What began as an interest in ballroom dancing blossomed into a lifelong love for music and dance of all kinds. Together, they spent many memorable evenings on the dance floor at Club Savoy and the Woodbine Opry, dancing the night away with friends.

Warren was a man who pushed through obstacles right up until the end. His legacy will live on through the lessons he taught, the love he gave, and the memories he created.

He is survived by his children, Terry Lynn Wheeler, Katherine Denise Frederick, and Adrianne Marie Wheeler (Michal); his grandchildren, Jennifer Frederick (Haley), Daniel Frederick, and Ethan Henry Wheeler-Cohen; and his brothers, Michael K. Wheeler (Ramona) and James Wheeler. He is also survived by many friends and family members who will forever cherish his memory. He was preceded in death by his wife, Judith Henry Wheeler; his parents, Doris Collins Wheeler and Warren S. Wheeler Sr.; and his brother, Bill Wheeler.

A celebration of Warren’s life will be held on March 22, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Shepherd-Roberson Funeral Home in Folkston, Georgia. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Florida.