Willie Eugene Grimes

On November 2 1928, Charlie Grimes and his wife, Ida Mae, were blessed with a beautiful baby boy who was their 5th of 18 children. Willie Eugene was his given name but everyone called him Bill. On September 6, 2016, God gave Bill his wings. He left this earth with the same vigor and spirit that he was always known to have amongst his family and friends. Bill attended grade and high school in rural Slick, Oklahoma. Bill married Marcella and after the birth of their eldest child, Elfredia, they moved from his parent's farm to the city of Tulsa, Oklahoma to become an employee of Borgs Compressed Steel. Bill was a bright young man showing much leadership and tenacity in his work. He soon became a supervisor and continued that role at Borgs until he retired from the company. Retirement was not something he really wanted to do so he went to work as����������������� custodian of Town and Country private school in Tulsa. After that role, he actually retired and became a tireless worker and Deacon for the North Peoria Church of Christ. If you ever wanted to know where he was most mornings, you could find him there. He was faithful in that role even while caring for his bride during her long term illness. For the last several years, Bill has been the oldest father of the North Peoria and Young Church of Christ. He and his wife Marcella, had also been titled the couple who had the most years of marriage in prior to 2016. He and Marcella, co-taught 4th and 5th graders at the church. They both worked in the Prison Ministry. He was a Visitation Team Leader as well. He enjoyed life and did a number of fun things. He and Marcella bowled on the church's league. Bill was a natural athlete and he learned from his father how to hunt, play horseshoes and he considered himself a master of the Domino game. Anyone who challenged him was in for strong competition as well as a conversation that would disarm the most skilled player. He was a serious opponent. He took no prisoners according to his children, grandchildren and even the great grands. He was a spectator for many sports. He kept up with the Olympics, men and women's basketball, football and he was passionate about baseball. He was an avid softball player during family reunion events. He loved a good rodeo and took his family to the Black Rodeo in Drumright, Oklahoma often. He believed in hard work and prosperity. It was not uncommon for him to leave home before the sun came out and not return until the sun set. When a young man, he always had at least two jobs and sometimes three. It was unbelievable that he worked for many years in the grueling Oklahoma sun until his last day at age 87. He was a man of his word and very dependable. Even though he was a handsome man, he was not vain. People who knew him were always in for a good laugh by a joke, a rhyme or some funny story. He was always fun to be around and loved to tease anyone who would let him get away with it. On Sundays or special occasions, you could always depend on him to be one of the best dressed men in sight as he loved suits, shirts, shoes and hats and he expected the same from those he loved. Bill is preceded in death by his father, Charlie, mother Ida Mae, sisters Tyree, Charlie Mae, Dorothy, Marvia, Mary and Shirley and his brothers, James, Earl, Ray, Paul, Rueben, Jesse and Fred. He is survived by his Howard Franklin Grimes, and his sisters, Izora Grimes Williams, Lola Grimes and Zenobia (Sunny) Grimes Carrie. His pride and joy was with his six children and their offspring. They include: Elfredia Marie Gee (Daniel W. Gee, Jr.), Willie Eugene Grimes, Jr. (Marsha Patricia) Doris Gaila Grimes Morrison Netter (deceased spouse, Kenneth D. Morrison, Jr. currently married to Harry Richard Netter), Donna Renee Sizemore (Norman E. Sizemore), Pamela Rochelle Smith (Quinton Smith, Sr.) and Kevin Darryl Grimes (Geraldine). From the six children he leaves behind 19 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. Viewing: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Friday, September 16, 2016 at Moore's Memory Chapel 1403 S. Peoria Ave., Tulsa, Oklahoma 74120. Wake: 7:00 p.m., Friday, September 16, 2016 at Moore's Memory Chapel. Service: 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 17, 2016 at North Peoria Church of Christ 2217 N. Peoria Ave., Tulsa, Oklahoma 74106. Moore's Memory Chapel 918-583-6148

Willie Eugene Grimes

November 2, 1928 - September 7, 2016