Ava Willsey

Ava Rae Willsey, resident of Ponca City, passed away Friday, May 20, 2011. She was 85 years of age.

Ava was born October 10, 1925 in Paris, Arkansas, the daughter of Clifford Lee Riley and Nora Dean Nelson Riley. She moved with her family at the age of five to Fairfax, Oklahoma where she received her education. While attending school in Fairfax she was a drum majorette. She was married to William J. Powell in 1943. She was married to Darwin Huffaker in 1950 and to Edwin Willsey in 1956.

The family operated the Big Hill Trading Post in Fairfax, moving to Tulsa in 1956. While living in Tulsa she worked for the McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Company. She then opened her own beauty shop out of her home. She moved to Ponca City in 2007. Her enjoyments included shopping, especially for jewelry, going to the lake, cookouts, visiting with people, and especially enjoyed the company of her pet dog, Ms. Buttons.

She is survived by her daughter, Jan Mansfield, of Ponca City one sister, Helen Rice, of Ponca City two nephews, Jim Lane, Duncan, Oklahoma, and Mick Hutchison, of Fairfax two nieces, Jerri Lane, Fayetteville, Arkansas, and Sherry Mashburn, of Fairfax. She was preceded in death by her parents three husbands two brothers, Hubert Riley and John C. Riley one sister, Ula Mae Lane.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at the Fairfax Cemetery pavilion with Hospice Chaplain Mike Sweetman presiding. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Casket bearers will be Tony Staton, Brandon Connor, Justin Mashburn, Jim Lane, Bob Adams and Mick Hutchison. Honorary casket bearer will be Craig Crismon.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, 1904 North Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601.