Former Bainbridge Island resident Paul Gregory Heeter, 48, died Oct. 11 at his home in Duvall.

Born June 14, 1955 in Seattle to Don and Joan Heeter, he grew up on Bainbridge. Staunchly independent, he owned a carpet-cleaning business while in high school with the BHS Class of ‘73. He met his wife Pam during that time, and they were married in 1977.

A freak swimming accident in the Olympic Mountains in 1979 left him confined to a wheelchair with limited feeling below the chest.

Former teacher and friend Gerald Elfendahl remembers months later when Heeter appeared at his door, “grinning from ear to ear. He had learned to walk and drive a car again with the help of special tools. He had driven to our home and climbed the difficult stairs alone and unassisted. It was a heroic graduation.”

Heeter went to the University of Washington and earned a BS in chemistry. He was employed by systems control firms — Bailey Control and TCE Pacific, for whom he traveled out of state as needed.

Despite his handicap, he cruised his 21-foot sailboat through the San Juans, drove a truck and a motorcycle with a side car. He was learning how to play a guitar and awaiting a chance to take a lesson from his friend and bluesman, T. J. Wheeler.

His parents preceded him in death. Survivors include his wife of 26 years, Pamela; two brothers, Bob Heeter and his wife, Jan, of Seabeck and David Heeter and his wife, Cindy, of Bremerton; and numerous nieces, nephews and godchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Nov. 1 at the home of Bob and Jan Heeter in Seabeck. Remembrances may be made to the Bainbridge Educational Trust, 8489 Madison Ave., Bainbridge Island, WA 98110.