William Lee Waltrip

BENJAMIN FUNERAL SERVICE NOWATA, OKLAHOMA 918-273-2700....  There has been a change in the funeral site, services will be held at Benjamin Funeral Service. 

William “Bill” or “Gus” Lee Waltrip, 74, of Chelsea passed away Monday, December 14, 2020 in Claremore, Oklahoma at Hillcrest Hospital. He was born in Coffeyville Kansas January 19, 1946 to Sherman Wesley and Katherine Lorene (McClure) Waltrip. William had several occupations over the years. He was a truck driver, worked in construction, the coal mines, and was a master welder for many years. He loved the Cowboy comradery and would day work at local ranches. He married Lucritia Hawn in 1975 and they had three children, William Jr., Justin, and Angie. They later divorced. On August 30, 2013 he married Carol Miller. William enjoyed riding horses and mules. He loved coon hunting on mules with his late friend Wolf Shipley and enjoyed anything outside. He was a hunter and great fisherman and also enjoyed caring for his livestock and animals around the farm. A favorite pastime was playing his drums, singing and dancing. He was a great dancer and could talk anyone into dancing with him. He enjoyed learning about his Native American culture and could speak some Cherokee. He loved life and spending time with his family and friends and will be missed by all who knew him.
Preceding Mr. Waltrip in death are his parents, Sherman and Katherine Waltrip; sister, Cherokee Ruthlene Ames; and a niece, Susan K. Ames.
Survivors include his wife Carol, of the home; children, William Lee Waltrip Jr. and wife Jacey, of Copan, Justin Waltrip and wife Sabrina, of Salina, Oklahoma, Angie Waltrip, of Nowata, Glenn Smith and wife Julia, of Russell, Kansas, Melissa Poiston, of Wichita, Kansas, Raylan Smith and wife Christina, of Wichita, Kansas, Shelly Liggon and husband Mike, of Jasper Alabama, Amy Brewer, of Vinita, Oklahoma; 21 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; siblings, Rita Ames and husband Paul, of Lenapah, Oklahoma, John Waltrip and wife Karen, of South Coffeyville, Oklahoma; many other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Waltrip will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, December 19, 2020, at the Benjamin Funeral Service. Burial will follow at Martin Cemetery in Nowata County. Services are under the direction of Benjamin Funeral Service of Nowata. Online condolences may be left at the www.honoringmemories.com or on our Benjamin Funeral Facebook Page. 

Donations can be made in lieu of flowers to your local Humane Society. 

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