Willard Dale Judkins

Willard Dale Judkins 1932-2017 Willard Dale Judkins, 85, Of Muskogee, Oklahoma passed away December 12, 2017 at his home after a brief illness. He was born in Oktaha, Oklahoma October 9th, 1932 to parents John and Mattie (Barnes) Judkins and was a lifelong resident of Muskogee, Oklahoma. In his early years, Willard worked on the Kershaw Ranch in Oktaha, Oklahoma. After graduating from Muskogee Central High School in 1951, he was drafted into the Army during the Korean War. After basic training he was sent to Minsk Germany serving in the Military Police, and with his free time he traveled around Germany and Paris, France. After serving in the Army, Willard started training with his brother-in-law to be a Tin Smith. He not only took pride in his work, but truly relished the friends he made during his time in this trade. He enjoyed building things and working with his hands. Willard loved to be outside and loved hunting Deer and Elk with his brothers and friends. He would usually go to Colorado every year for 2 weeks at a time to hike, hunt and fish in the mountains. Willard was a Rancher in Wagoner County during and after his years in the sheet metal trade where he worked for OK Tin Shop and Young’s Sheet Metal in Muskogee. He is known for his artistic copper work that beautified many buildings in the Tulsa and Muskogee area. He enjoyed oil painting with his sisters and he had a passion for growing a large garden and many varieties of Iris. He planted hundreds of trees along the road on his property that we will get to enjoy for years to come. He treated people he met with dignity and respect. He was always willing to help wherever he could. We have lost a kind and gentle soul. He found Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ at an early age and renewed his faith in his later years. He knew that this is only the first phase to a life well lived. May he rest in peace in the arms of Our Creator, God Almighty! He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mattie Judkins; his brothers and sisters, Milfred Judkins, Donald Judkins, Marjorie Stephens, Harold Judkins, Violet Brock, and Ivan Leon Judkins. Willard is survived by his wife of 18 years, Maxine (Ashwood) Judkins; his children with Betty (Hughes) Honea, Darren Judkins and wife Peggy, Cynthia Metzger and husband Lee, Ryan Judkins, (all of Muskogee) Shannon Brooks and husband Sejin (Texas); by marriage, Johnny Ashwood Jr and wife Shirley (Okay); many grandchildren, Thomas Judkins (OKC), Alex Boyer, Hannah Boyer, Colby and Wade Holman, (Muskogee) and Harrison Brooks (Texas) and 6 additional grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren; his sisters, Maxine White and Faye Deane Boydston (Muskogee). Pallbearers will be Thomas Judkins, Alex Boyer, Levi Ashwood, Colby and Wade Holman. Funeral services are under the direction of Cornerstone Funeral Home 1830 North York St, Muskogee, Oklahoma at 2:00 pm, December 15, 2017 in Chapel with Pastor Earl Baker officiating. Burial services will directly follow and held grave site at Memorial Park Cemetery, 7600 Old Taft Rd in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Condolences may be sent to family at www.cornerstoneofmuskogee.com

Willard Dale Judkins

October 9, 1932 - December 12, 2017