Willie Ray Price

Willie “Shorty” Price, 86, of Muskogee, Oklahoma passed away Tuesday, December 20, 2011. He was born March 20, 1925 to John A. Price and Lola Dale in Farmerville, TX. Willie married Helen Thomas on July 1, 1950 and she preceded him in death on August 12, 1987. Willie served his country as a member of the Army. He was stationed in the Pacific, Germany, Korea, and Vietnam. He was awarded the Bronze Star and multiple other awards. Willie retired from the Army in 1966. After retiring from the Army, he moved to Muskogee and worked at Muskogee Regional Medical Center until his retirement in 1991. Willie never met a stranger and you could always find him at a garage sale. He also enjoyed traveling and loved to garden when his health allowed. Willie met and later married Sherry Paris on August 30, 1996. He was devoted to his family. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Helen Price; granddaughter, Lauren Price; brothers, Royal, Earl, Allen, Avon; and sister, Dorothy Penick. Willie is survived by his wife, Sherry of the home; sons, David and wife Mona, Willie Jr. and wife Polly, all of Muskogee; daughters, Kathie Lipe of Muskogee, Joyce Rowland of Sand Springs, OK; grandchildren, Mike and Crissy Price, Nick and Sofia Price, Thomas and Maria Price, Crystal (Price) and Chad Francis, Amber (Price) and Shawn Crall, Chris Price, Stephaney (Lipe) and James Miller, Angie (Lipe) and Malcolm Mebane; great grandchildren, Kylie, McKenzie and McKenna Price, T.J. and Allie Harris, Cayl Miller, Micah and Noah Mebane, Brian Price; brother, Gene Price of Arlington, TX; sister-in-laws, Faye Price and Wilma Price; brother-in-law, Steve Paris; mother-in-law, Mildred Paris; step-children, Kathy and Gary Jones, Shelly and Michael Hitt; step grandchildren, Krissy Marler, Kasey Jones, Hayley, Andy, and Jake Hitt; step great grandchildren, Lance Jones, Kyle, Mya, Bethany, and Nick Marler; numerous nieces and nephews; and many friends. Family requests memorials be made to the American Heart Association. Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, December 23, 2011 at Muskogee Seventh-Day Adventist Church located at 170 North Country Club Road with Geraldo Alonso II officiating. Full military honors will be presented by Fort Sill Honor Guard.

Willie Ray Price

March 20, 1925 - December 20, 2011