Wilma "Willie" Searcy Wheat

Wilma Ashworth “Willie” Wheat passed peacefully from this life to the next on November 20, 2014 in Midland, Texas, after a long, courageous and uncomplaining battle with cancer. Willie was born in Kilgore, Texas on April 5th, 1938, to Henry Young Searcy and Mary Louise Kinley Searcy. She graduated from Kilgore High School, and took some post graduate studies relevant to her career as a professional legal secretary. She worked with Randall Lundy at Lynch, Chappell in Midland for many years before moving to the law office of her beloved husband, attorney Archie Charles “Charlie” Wheat, Jr., who preceded her in death eleven years ago. She was a founding member and president of the Professional Legal Secretaries organization in Midland. Always active in service organizations even during her illness, Willie held every office in the Midland Chapter No. 253 of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was Worthy Matron three times, served as Electa this year, and held several offices in Grand Chapter Texas. She received the Grand Cross of Color for her work with Rainbow Girls. One of her great loves was the Midland Soup Kitchen Ministry, where she volunteered for the past nine years serving food to the homeless and disadvantaged of the City. Her motto can be expressed in the words of Stephen Grellet she selected for an Eastern Star program: “I shall pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do, or kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect, for I shall not pass this way again.” Her passing leaves a sad void in the lives of many, and an empty space in the ranks of those who gladly serve others. That sadness, however, cannot diminish the joy she spread in our lives and our loving memories of her vivacity and her wonderfully unique personality and wit.

Willie was preceded in death by her husband, A.C. Wheat, Jr., and by her parents. She is survived by her sister, Margo Davis and husband Don of Colorado, her children Vi Lea Borland and husband Mike of Midland, Colleen Fuglaar of Austin, Steven Wheat of Midland, Toni Wheat of Albuquerque, NM, and Tracy Trout of Odessa, numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Devin Phiffer, Thomas V. “Fore” Brown, IV., Kurtis Nodolf, Theron Brown, Aiden Brown and Jake Phiffer.

The family will greet visitors at Ellis Funeral Home on Sunday, November 23nd from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Services will be held on Monday, November 24rd at 11:00 a.m. at Ellis Funeral Home Chapel in Midland, Texas. Graveside service will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park in Midland.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Midland Soup Kitchen Ministry, 1401 Orchard Ln, Midland, TX 79701.

Willie's family wishes to thank Dr. Rastogi and the staff at Texas Oncology.