Funeral Service for Ralph Ray Wilson, 78, of Fairview, will be January 4, 2022, at 10:30 a.m., in the Cedar Springs Nazarene Church west of Fairview.  Reverend Travis Howerton will officiate.  Burial will follow in the Bethel Cemetery.  Arrangements by Fairview Funeral Home, Inc.

Ralph Ray Wilson was born July 21, 1943 on the family farm west of Fairview to Milford Clifford and Thelma Gladys (Doughty) Wilson.  Except for his time at college and the first year of marriage, he spent the next 76 years on the same piece of land.  His remaining years he lived at the Fairview Fellowship Home where he passed away December 30, 2021.

Ralph's childhood was spent as most farm kids, helping care for crops and animals.  He never really liked being alone so would get his little sister Bonnie to tag along while he hoed cotton and watermelons.  He attended the one-room rural school of Dane thru the 8 ^th grade before moving on to Fairview High.  In high school, Ralph was active in FFA and played football, graduating in 1961.

After high school, Ralph worked a year for local farmers to earn money for college at Southwest Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma.  During his college years, he continued to work in agriculture and went on harvest with Dwayne Elwell and Tom and Neal Outhier.  He entertained the Outhier children by letting them ride the combine with him while he sang them silly songs.  He left college for another year to earn enough money to complete his degree and graduate with a business degree in 1967.

After college, Ralph went to work in construction with his brother-in-law Paul Howerton.  They formed a partnership along with Robert Wieler and became R.P.R. Builders.  Ralph put his education to work by doing the books for the company.

On October 14, 1972 Ralph married Judy Martin in Canton, Oklahoma.  Together they raised three daughters, Tina Marie, Becky Sue, and Carrie LaFern, in the country home they built on the family farm.  They were very active in the girl's school activities.

Ralph loved people and being of service to the public. He was Fairview Santa Claus for several years.  He also spent many years in the Fairview Lions Club.  In 1990 he began working for the Major County assessor's office and was elected county assessor in 1994, retiring in 2010.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, sister Rosalie Fern Howerton, brothers-in-law Paul Howerton and Johnny Adamson.

Left to cherish his memory are wife Judy, daughters, Tina and Greg Butler, Becky and Lynn Klaassen and Carrie Wilson.  Also, sister Bonnie Adamson, grandchildren and great grandchildren, Ashley and Mike Elafros, Jameson and Mila, Carson Elwell, Steven and Rachel Bosworth, and Paden Haight.

Memorial contributions may be made. to the Bethel Cemetery Association with Fairview Funeral Home, Inc acting as custodian.

Condolences may be made on line at www.fairviewfuneralhomeinc.com .