Mr Dean. It has been a privilege that you have been my Friend . Not only a friend a DEAR friend. I will always cherish the good times we had working together, laughing, telling stories to one another, playing Yahtzee and cards . You will always be in my thoughts and prayers. ALWAYS !!!! Our heavenly Father has chosen a wonderful MAN to be there with him. And best of all you are now with your beloved Lynda that I heard for many years so many great things about. You have such a wonderful family and have so many people here that will miss you. GOD BLESSED ALL OF US THAT HAVE KNOWN YOU.

Even only meeting and spending time with him a handful of times, I could see he deeply loved and cared for his family. As the wife of his grandchild, Aurora Lanzana, upon meeting him, he was nothing but kind and friendly, and welcomed me into the family with open arms. I could see how much he knew who he was - and expressed himself accordingly. I will always remember his humor, his gruff but warm voice and laugh, his excellent taste in fashion and decor, and how much he loved and lived for his family and loved ones. I'm honored to have met him while I could. May his memory be a blessing.

It was so special to me that I got to visit my granddaddy with my mom and brother for Thanksgiving this year and introduce my Oklahoma family to my wife Sophia. Sophia captured this pic of us when we went to Wichita Mountains to see the buffalos and go to Medicine Park. Because that's been a tradition with my grandparents for my entire life, I will always treasure that I got an opportunity to see him and share this tradition with my spouse. I'm also grateful that we got to spend valuable bonding time together as a family at Thanksgiving, the season of gratitude. He always loved going on day trips and exploring the world around him, so I wanted to share this memory in his honor.

Prayers for the family from the Griffith Family

It's hard to talk about my granddaddy now; I loved him so much and he was such a steadfast figure growing up that I can hardly parse which childhood memories to share. Still, I can say that the first thought brought to mind about my granddaddy is his joie de vivre. He was always ready to go on an adventure and do something exciting, whether by himself or with his family and loved ones. Every summer that we would visit our schedule would be jampacked, from prairie dog and buffalo sighting trips in his trusty camper to zoo and museum days to family board games. He always wanted to help make every visit special. I also recall, as so many do, his sense of humor and mischief. I can still vividly hear his chuckle after playing a lighthearted prank or his boisterous laughter when watching a slapsticky scene in a movie. Lastly, I'll always remember my granddaddy's practical and creative problem-solving. For many years I've admired his ingenuity and ability to make life incrementally, materially better for himself and his family. It felt like everything in his house was perfectly customized to work for him, his own unique needs and lifestyle. And he was always a font of ideas for potential solutions to any problem you had. It's hard to believe that he's gone, but I know his impact in my life will continue to resonate. At least every time I subconsciously find myself saying "now looky here" or "dadgummit"!

Dean had drove down to visit us in Florida, and we had loads of fun.  One of my favorite things we did together was charter an airboat ride out into the wetlands.  We saw many beautiful birds and flowers, and a few alligators too.  We even got to hold a baby alligator, but I don't have the picture.

A few years ago I had flown up to visit with the rest of the family, but my return flight was later than everyone else's.  So Dean and I went to the zoo together, just the two of us.  There were Halloween decorations still out, and it was quite cold, but the animals seemed to love it and were more active than normal.  It was my most memorable zoo experience.

I always thought of him as  a gentle man and a good man
I am glad that I got to know him when he became part of our family

This was taken at the summit of Mt Scott last November.  I remember going on camping trips to the Wichita Wildlife preserve with Dean and Linda when I was little.  It was nice being able to go with him again.

I remember growing up spending the summers with granddaddy and grandmommy , they loved just doing anything no matter what, where or when. We would always go eat breakfast and plan our day. Whether we went on an adventure or sat in the house playing games. He continued doing what he and grandmommy loved even after her passing and he never dulled. Im glad he is safe and loved up in heaven with grandmommy and i hope they continue to travel all around with eachother!

I greatly loved and adored my uncle Dean. He was always quick to smile but even faster at getting one out of you.  I wish I hadn’t been a picky eater as a child because I sure did as an adult. I will always have jalapeño cranberries at Thanksgiving.  He and Lynda will always influence my life.  They provided me with a love of being outdoors in nature, being creative, and never being too old to be silly. I love them both so much and will keep them in my heart forever.

Dean was always quick to smile. I admired his ability to just go places. If he found a place he thought looked interesting he just went there. He was my favorite tumble weed and the best second Dad I could have ever been blessed with.

OBITUARY

Orvil Dean Willyerd

March 20, 1943 – May 12, 2026

Memorial Park Funeral Home & Cemetery

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