Walter "Rats" Howard Treasure

Funeral services for Walter “Rats” Howard Treasure will be held on Friday, March 11th, 2016 at 10:00 AM at the Ballou Church in Locust Grove, OK, with Brother Bill Hendricks officiating. Interment will be held at Ballou Cemetery. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.reedculver.com.

Pallbearers for Walter include Jeffrey Rock, Presley Hendricks, Chance Stayathome, Tyus Stayathome, Michael Rock, and Chris Stayathome. Honorary pallbearers include Terry Bunch, Felix Livers, and Quinton Case.

Walter Howard Treasure, or “Rats” to his family and friends, was born on August 5th, 1930 in Yonkers, OK, the son of Cornelius and Sally (Bigfeather) Treasure. He grew up with his sisters, Pauline Belk and Cora Soban. Walter attended school then began a career as a pipe layer for various gas and oil companies, traveling all over working. When he wasn’t away at work, Howard liked to spend the day fishing, or working in his garden, growing the biggest tomatoes you ever saw! He was always ready to share a cup of coffee with his friends, exchanging the latest news around town, and whatever he read from the paper. Walter liked bluegrass music, or any music featuring a fiddle and banjo. He had the instruments and was always going to learn to play, just ran out of time. He had a great sense of humor and loved to joke around. He was friendly and loved people, and made sure you had a smile on your face as you walked away. He loved gathering with his family to share a holiday meal, and really liked the brown beans and cornbread or his favorite, mashed potatoes and gravy! He loved his five daughters and their families and was always happy to see them come for a visit. He was very proud of his Cherokee heritage, and remained fluent in reading, writing and speaking Cherokee. He encouraged his family to keep this tradition alive for future generations. He was a Christian by faith, always reading his Cherokee Bible on a daily basis. He attended first Indian Baptist Church in Tahlequah, OK and later, after his move to Claremore, he attended the Emmanuel Baptist Church of Claremore. His health began to fail him, and the Lord called this good and faithful servant, father, grandfather and friend, home from his labors on March 7th, 2016 in Tahlequah, OK, with his loved ones by his side. Walter was 85 years old. He will be greatly missed.

Walter is preceded in death by his parents, his daughter, Beverly Stayathome, two sisters, Pauline Belk and Cora Soban, and one grandson, Michael Dwayne Hendricks.

Those left to cherish Walter’s memory include four daughters, Gloria Case and Quinton of Tahlequah, OK, Cathy Rock and Blue Rock Jr of Claremore, OK, Marlene Livers and Russell Jim of Tahlequah, OK, and Cindy Clinton and Terry Bunch of Stilwell, OK. Walter lives on in his nine grandsons, seven granddaughters, ten great grandsons, thirteen great granddaughters, two great great grandsons, one great great granddaughter, many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones.