Wilmer "Willie" Cruts

In Memory

Wilmer “Willie” Orville Cruts

Wilmer “Willie” Cruts, 93, of Watonga, Oklahoma, died peacefully on August 9, 2024, at the Veteran’s Center in Clinton, Oklahoma.

Willie was born to Wilmer Otto Cruts and Etta May Collier Cruts on January 4, 1931, in Marland, Oklahoma. He completed his high school education in Marland and graduated in 1948. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, from July 1950 to May 1954.

Willie married Wilma Jean Hargraves on December 6, 1953, in Reno, Nevada. To this union they were blessed with 4 children, Bobby Edgar, Debra Jean, Larry Dan, and Jerry Don.

Willie worked in the oil field most of his life. He started as a roughneck, then moved to being a driller, to a tool-pusher, and eventually became the drilling superintendent and consultant. He also farmed, raised cattle, welded and did heat/air conditioning  work. He loved to garden and sell his produce; his gardens were beautiful.

Cruts is survived by his wife of 70 years,  his daughter, Debra (Mickey) Ice of Tahlequah OK, his son, Jerry Don of Edmond, OK; his siblings, Alice Andrews, Fern Dillard, Ruth Williams, Evelyn Lewis, and Melvin Cruts; grandchildren, Trisha, Ray, Tanner, and Daniel; two great-grandchildren, Benson and Ryan Nicole, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Willie is preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Bobby and Danny, and one grandson Heath Cruts Ice.

In lieu of  flowers, the family asks that you please donate to a charity of your choice, or to the Watonga Senior Citizen’s Center, Fisher House Foundation (helping wounded soldiers and their families) or to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital.

A memorial service for Willie will be held Saturday, October 12, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at the American Legion Building in Watonga.