Edward Louis Willingham Sr., 76, of Sapulpa, stepped into heaven on October 30, 2019.
Ed was born August 10, 1943 in Sapulpa to Louie and Francis Willingham. He has been married to the love of his life, Frieda Willingham, for 53 years. He had so many accomplishments throughout his life. He served 4 years in the Air force and he did 3 rotating tours in Da Nang Vietnam. He was a certified scuba diver along with his wife, Frieda. He traveled to many places: Europe, Mediterranean Sea, Asia (several times), and locations in North Africa, Spain, Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Azores, Hawaii (7 times), Guam, Wake Philippians, Japan (twice), Hiroshima, Niffasaki, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Taiwan, Alaska, Canada, and South America.
Ed was also Jr. Olympic Champion in wrestling. He won 3 state metals, 1st place, two 2nd places, 2 AAU Champion titles in freestyle, 1 AAU Champion Greco-Roman, 1 outstanding wrestler in AAU Tournament in California and 3 regional 1st’s in South Carolina. He was inducted into the Edison Hall of Fame. He set the 1st record of 3 gold medals in a row and also won several Oklahoma titles.
Ed coached wrestling at Kellyville, Sapulpa, Tulsa North side, and the Athletic Club. He was a Police Officer Sargent at Sapulpa Police Department. He had a concrete construction company and his hobbies consist of breaking and riding horses. He was a lifetime member, in the office, and a board member of the Kellyville Round-Up Club. Family was everything to him. He loved his wife, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and friends more than anything in the world. He was loved by so many and will be missed dearly. He is preceded in death by his parents Louie and Francis Willingham, daughter Jaime Willingham, granddaughter Blaire Helms, brothers John Willingham and James Willingham, and sister Shirley Anderson.
He is survived by his loving wife Frieda,
Children: Wendy and husband Shane Thomas
Ed Jr. and wife Starla Willingham
Denna Willingham Thomas
Grandchildren: Shane Thomas II, Sky Thomas, Blake Willingham, Bradley Willingham, Allie Thomas, Brooklyn Thomas, Cooper Thomas, Cason Helms
Great Grandchildren: Hailey Thomas, Haiden Thomas, Shane Thomas III, Natalie Thomas, Skylar Thomas, Skymond Thomas II, Klaire Willingham
Sisters: Kathleen Cheeseman, Patty Weins, Vickie Wroten
Memorial service will be held on Monday, November 4, 2:00 pm at Smith Funeral Home, Sapulpa, OK.
There will be a follow-up Cowboy memorial service at the Kellyville Round-Up Club immediately after the service.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Smith Funeral Home, 1208 S Main St, Sapulpa, OK.