A Celebration of Life for Bruce Willey, age 80, of Enid, is 10:00 am, Saturday, November 5, 2016 at Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Tom Holton of Ames officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, November 4, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.
Bruce was born October 1, 1936 in Enid to Dan Willey and Blanche (Curtis) Willey, and passed away on Monday, October 31, 2016 in Enid.
He was raised on a farm near Aline, Ok, and attended school at Round Grove and Aline moving to Enid in 1951 where he attended Enid High School. Upon leaving school he joined his dad and two brothers, Bill Dan and Bob doing oil pipeline work in many states.
He met Edith Morris of Ames in 1957 and they were married October 13, 1957, celebrating their 59th Anniversary October 13, 2016. Bruce and Edith had a daughter, Kaye Willey, a son, Kevin Willey and daughter, Debbie Lynn Willey who preceded him in death at the age of 7 years during her 5th open heart surgery. They were blessed with four grandchildren and seven precious great-grandchildren who adored papa. He started driving a truck for Lee Shook in 1959 and shortly after bought his own truck and drove for about 30 years. He and Edith started Bruce Willey Trucking in 1960, and continues to operate to this day.
Bruce loved to work with horses and cattle. He had quarter horses for riding, race horses, and raised Beefmaster Cattle. He farmed and raised cattle south of Ames. For the last few years a highlight of his life was going to the farms and driving through the pastures looking at his cattle. Bruce loved to hunt and fish, especially going to Colorado to spend time at his cabin, trout fishing and hunting elk. His family was the love of his life, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Bruce is preceded in death by a daughter, Debbie Lynn Willey, his parents, Dan and Blanche Willey, and two brothers, Bill Dan and Bob Willey.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Edith Willey, of the home in Enid; a daughter, Kaye Willey of Ames; son Kevin Willey and wife Kathie, of Enid; four grandchildren, Mike Willey of Ames; Krystle Burpo and husband Tyson, of Garber; Cody Willey and wife Amber, of Enid; Kyle Willey and wife Amanda, of Norfolk, VA; seven great-grandchildren, Krista, Krysten, Kenzie, Dakota, Kelsie, Hailey, Jace; three in-laws, Merle Morris; Jan Morris; Lee and wife Utha May Morris; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials in Bruce’s name may be made to the Ames Volunteer Fire Department with Ladusau-Evans Serving as custodian of the funds.
Condolences may be made and services viewed online at www.ladusauevans.com.
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