Willie Vann

Willie Vann was born on November 16, 1932 in Tahlequah, OK, the son of Tom and Lydia (Crittenden) Vann. Willie grew up in a family with brothers Bob, Sam, and sisters, Irene and Marie. He attended school at Stilwell, OK. He met and married his partner and best friend in life, Willie Mae Hogshooter on March 15th, 1954 at the Courthouse in Stilwell, OK. This union was blessed with five sons and three daughters, Cecil, Adam, Daniel, Jimmy, Clifford, Joyce, Rosie, and Christina. Willie was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He adored his grandchildren and every chance he got to watch them at school or playing sports was special for him. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed being around the house or relaxing. He loved sports of all types and especially was fond of football and baseball. Willie liked softball and watching boxing on TV. He was a member of the Illinois River Baptist Church and attended singings every chance he could. He was the kind of neighbor that was always ready to lend a hand or share a cup of coffee. He was thoughtful and had a kind smile. He was patient and was always there to make his family and friends laugh. His health began to fail him, and Willie went to his Eternal Resting Place on July 14th, 2015, at his home in Watts, OK with his family by his side. Willie was 82 years old. He will be greatly missed for his wisdom, his patience and his love.

Willie is preceded in death by his parents, two sons, Jimmy Jay Vann, and Clifford Vann, grandchildren, Clifton”Buddy” Vann, Bradley “Chase” Vann, and his great grandchildren, Colton Brian Vann-Foreman, and Kerry Whaler. He is preceded by all of his brothers and sisters, Bob Vann, Sam Vann, Irene Wheeler, and Marie Russell.

Those left to celebrate his life and memory include his wife of 61 years, Willie Mae Vann of the home in Watts, his beloved children, Cecil Vann and wife Sherry of Oaks, OK, Adam Vann of Oaks, OK, Daniel Vann of Oaks, OK, Joyce Ketcher and husband Albert of Kansas, OK, Rosie Young and husband Steve of Chewey, OK, and Christina Fixin and husband Gerald of Rocky Ford, OK. He lives on in his 13 grandchildren, Arlene Vann, Beth Denton, Kelly Vann, Stacie Vann, Lydia Vann, Ashley Soap, Amber Clouse, Kandace Drywater, Angelina Sanders, Maggie Jones, Tyler Vann, Kourtney Vann and Eric Vann. His great grandchildren include Swain Vann, Willie Ryan Vann, Daran Vann, Xander Denton, Jakobe Vann, Treyshawn Jones, Nevaeh Sanders, Jace Drywater, Ashlynn Soap, Nakayah Sanders, Jocelynn Denton, Christopher Clouse, Behati Jones, Mario Pineda Jr., and Codey Soap. He leaves one great great grandchild, Neila Vann, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones.