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IN LOVING MEMORY OF Verne Leroy Willits
Verne Leroy
Willits
May 7, 1917 — Feb 14, 2016
Fairview
Verne Leroy Willits' Obituary
Verne L. Willits was born on what the family calls the North Ranch in Cheyenne Valley on May 7, 1917 as the son of Leroy (Roy) Willits and Mary Harmon Willits and departed this life at the age of 98 on February 14, 2016 in Fairview, Oklahoma.
After attending Cheyenne Valley School through the 2 nd grade the family moved to Fairview where he attended Fairview Schools until he graduated in 1934. Verne fondly remembers being FFA president his senior year in High School. He attended Oklahoma A & M from 1936 to 1941 except for one year that he went back to Fairview to make enough money in order to be able to afford finishing his degree. Many of his classmates said that he would never return to school if he left but he did return and obtain a degree in Agriculture Economics. While in college Verne served on the Interfraternity Council and was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. He also was a member of the Aggie X club and played trumpet in the marching band.
Verne enlisted in the Marines in 1941, and soon thereafter, on February 8, 1942 married Ellen Elizabeth "Betty" Buxton in the First Presbyterian Church, Enid, Oklahoma.
On February 8, 1943 Verne was transferred from the Marines where he had enlisted in 1941 to the Air Force and on December 5, 1943 he received his wings from The Air Force Advanced Flying School at Ellington Field, Texas as a pilot in the U. S. Air Force. After receiving his wings more than 3,000 hours were logged as an instructor during World War II.
Upon Verne's return from the military in the fall of 1945, Verne and Betty made their home in Fairview, Oklahoma where they raised five children. Betty Willits worked as a secretary for the Fairview High School while at the same time working together with her husband in the farming and cattle business until her death on August 31, 1984. They were active members of the Central Christian Church where Verne was baptized as a young boy, and all five children made their commitment to Christ in this same church.
In 1948 Verne became an instructor for the Veteran's Agriculture Training Program, in Fairview and continued to serve in this capacity for 6 years. He then worked for a short time as a Federal Crop Insurance agent where his office was in the basement of the old Fire Station. With a true passion for the cattle business, Verne has had the blessing of working in a business that he truly loved. Just as his father had operated the Fairview Sale Barn from 1951 until 1964, Verne became part owner and operator of the Fairview Sale Barnin 1966 until his interest was sold in 1981. Thereafter, he worked as an order buyer purchasing cattle for several years and sold meat across Oklahoma. Verne continued to operate in the cattle business in the Fairview area throughout his life.
On May 21, 1988 Verne Willits and Ann Cochran Johnson were married on the Willits South Ranch. They made their home on this same ranch. Verne and Ann have both been active members of Central Christian Church of Fairview and have both been contributing members of the Major County Senior's Center.
Verne was a past member of the Fairview Chamber of Commerce and a longtime member of the Fairview Country Club. In 1946 he was president of the Fairview Alumni. April 16, 1951 he was elected as president of the Fairview Rotary Club. Verne was a member of the American Legion and received his 70 year pin in 2015 and he was a 32 nd degree Mason.
God blessed Verne with a large family and many friends. His love for others could be seen in the expressions of this wonderful story teller. He also had great love for animals. He was gifted with a wonderful ability to handle animals including his bird dogs, horses or cattle and just like his father, Verne was a good steward of the land. He was an avid sportsman loving golf, quail hunting, Thunder basketball and anything to do with OSU sports. In 2015 Verne was recognized with a video interview for the Oklahoma State Oral History Project known as Cowboys in Every County. For those who knew him, he will always be remembered as a husband, father and friend who loved life.
Verne was preceded in death by his parents Leroy "Roy" and Mary Willits, wife Ellen Elizabeth "Betty" Willits and sisters Jewell Lowder and Yvonne Ward.
Survivors include his wife Ann Willits, daughter Marcia and husband Richard "Dick" Smith, sons Dr. Verne Leroy Willits, Jr., Phillip Willits and wife Angel, Daniel Willits and wife Gwen and Joel Willits and wife Yrasith, 16 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren.
Services will be held Friday February 26, 2016 at 2:00 pm at the Central Christian Church, 223 East Broadway, Fairview, Oklahoma. Pastor Ronnie Hopkins will be officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery. Arrangements by Fairview Funeral Home Inc.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Central Christian Church, Major County Senior Citizen Center or Fairview Fellowship Home.
After attending Cheyenne Valley School through the 2 nd grade the family moved to Fairview where he attended Fairview Schools until he graduated in 1934. Verne fondly remembers being FFA president his senior year in High School. He attended Oklahoma A & M from 1936 to 1941 except for one year that he went back to Fairview to make enough money in order to be able to afford finishing his degree. Many of his classmates said that he would never return to school if he left but he did return and obtain a degree in Agriculture Economics. While in college Verne served on the Interfraternity Council and was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. He also was a member of the Aggie X club and played trumpet in the marching band.
Verne enlisted in the Marines in 1941, and soon thereafter, on February 8, 1942 married Ellen Elizabeth "Betty" Buxton in the First Presbyterian Church, Enid, Oklahoma.
On February 8, 1943 Verne was transferred from the Marines where he had enlisted in 1941 to the Air Force and on December 5, 1943 he received his wings from The Air Force Advanced Flying School at Ellington Field, Texas as a pilot in the U. S. Air Force. After receiving his wings more than 3,000 hours were logged as an instructor during World War II.
Upon Verne's return from the military in the fall of 1945, Verne and Betty made their home in Fairview, Oklahoma where they raised five children. Betty Willits worked as a secretary for the Fairview High School while at the same time working together with her husband in the farming and cattle business until her death on August 31, 1984. They were active members of the Central Christian Church where Verne was baptized as a young boy, and all five children made their commitment to Christ in this same church.
In 1948 Verne became an instructor for the Veteran's Agriculture Training Program, in Fairview and continued to serve in this capacity for 6 years. He then worked for a short time as a Federal Crop Insurance agent where his office was in the basement of the old Fire Station. With a true passion for the cattle business, Verne has had the blessing of working in a business that he truly loved. Just as his father had operated the Fairview Sale Barn from 1951 until 1964, Verne became part owner and operator of the Fairview Sale Barnin 1966 until his interest was sold in 1981. Thereafter, he worked as an order buyer purchasing cattle for several years and sold meat across Oklahoma. Verne continued to operate in the cattle business in the Fairview area throughout his life.
On May 21, 1988 Verne Willits and Ann Cochran Johnson were married on the Willits South Ranch. They made their home on this same ranch. Verne and Ann have both been active members of Central Christian Church of Fairview and have both been contributing members of the Major County Senior's Center.
Verne was a past member of the Fairview Chamber of Commerce and a longtime member of the Fairview Country Club. In 1946 he was president of the Fairview Alumni. April 16, 1951 he was elected as president of the Fairview Rotary Club. Verne was a member of the American Legion and received his 70 year pin in 2015 and he was a 32 nd degree Mason.
God blessed Verne with a large family and many friends. His love for others could be seen in the expressions of this wonderful story teller. He also had great love for animals. He was gifted with a wonderful ability to handle animals including his bird dogs, horses or cattle and just like his father, Verne was a good steward of the land. He was an avid sportsman loving golf, quail hunting, Thunder basketball and anything to do with OSU sports. In 2015 Verne was recognized with a video interview for the Oklahoma State Oral History Project known as Cowboys in Every County. For those who knew him, he will always be remembered as a husband, father and friend who loved life.
Verne was preceded in death by his parents Leroy "Roy" and Mary Willits, wife Ellen Elizabeth "Betty" Willits and sisters Jewell Lowder and Yvonne Ward.
Survivors include his wife Ann Willits, daughter Marcia and husband Richard "Dick" Smith, sons Dr. Verne Leroy Willits, Jr., Phillip Willits and wife Angel, Daniel Willits and wife Gwen and Joel Willits and wife Yrasith, 16 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren.
Services will be held Friday February 26, 2016 at 2:00 pm at the Central Christian Church, 223 East Broadway, Fairview, Oklahoma. Pastor Ronnie Hopkins will be officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery. Arrangements by Fairview Funeral Home Inc.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Central Christian Church, Major County Senior Citizen Center or Fairview Fellowship Home.
To send flowers or plant a memorial tree in memory, please visit our flower store.
Funeral Services for Verne Leroy Willits
Funeral Service
February
26
Friday
Central Christian Church
2:00 - 3:30 pm
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