Hewitt continued his military service to the end of the war and beyond. He retired from the Air Force in 1968 with the rank of Lieutenant-General.
After his retirement, he moved to Tubac, Arizona and joined the Board of Directors of Gates Learjet. He was instrumental in bringing more of the company’s operations to Tucson. He served on the Board until 1980. General Wheless passed away in 1986 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.