Mr. Gordon Wayne Wheatley Sr., 83, passed away on Friday, Dec. 26, 2025. A lifelong resident of Tangier Island, he was born on Oct. 3, 1942, to the late Gordon and Ada Parks Wheatley.
Gordon Wayne was a true Tangier Island waterman whose life was shaped by the Chesapeake Bay. He began working on the water in the seventh grade and remained devoted to his calling until the age of 78. As captain of the Sandra Gail, he earned the respect of fellow watermen through his work ethic, skill, and deep love for the island.
When he wasn’t working, Gordon Wayne enjoyed playing softball for the Pibbs, continuing to play until he was 42 years old. He was also a loyal New York Yankees fan and found his greatest joy sitting on his porch — especially when joined by his family.
In addition to his parents, Gordon Wayne was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Sandra Gail Crockett Wheatley; his son, Gordon Wayne “Waynie” Wheatley; and his brother, Nolan L. Wheatley.
He leaves to cherish his memory his son, Jonathan “Paul” Wheatley and his wife, Kelly, of Tangier; his grandchildren, Ashley Eskridge and her husband, Joseph, of Greer, S.C., and Jonathon Wheatley and his fiancée, Georgianna, of Yorktown; his great-grandchildren, Harlow, Oliver, and Waylon Eskridge; his sisters, Ruth Marshall, Portia Pruitt and her husband, Edward, and Tina Parks and her husband, Mike; his brothers-in-law, Wes Crockett and his wife, Nancy, and Jeff Crockett and his wife, Nancy; his sisters-in-law, Marion Carson and her husband, Buddy, and Linda Wheatley; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and their families.
Gordon Wayne will be remembered as a devoted family man and a hardworking waterman whose legacy lives on through generations of love, tradition, and faith.
A funeral service was held at Swain Memorial United Methodist Church on Friday, Jan. 2, at 2 p.m., with the Rev. Charles W. Parks III and Mr. Edward Pruitt officiating. There was a time of sharing a half hour prior to the service and all were invited to join the family for a meal immediately following the service. Private interment was held at the Crockett Family Cemetery.
Contributions in Gordon Wayne’s memory may be made to Swain Memorial United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 199, Tangier, VA 23440 or to Tangier Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 239, Tangier, VA 23440.
Memory tributes may be shared with the family at
www.williamsfuneralhomes.com
Arrangements were by the Williams Funeral Homes, Onancock and Parksley.
