Bobby Wilks

Bobby (Bob) Wilks was born to Mannie and Lois Wilks on September 20, 1937, in Fort Gibson. He was raised on the Grand River by his grandparents, Press and Lettie Cooper. He graduated from Fort Gibson High School in 1956, where he was active in Vo Ag and was an excellent basketball and baseball player. After high school he went to work for Getty Oil Co. and played first base and pitched for the company softball team. He married his high school sweetheart, Ann Sheffield, and they raised four children together. He purchased and operated a backhoe for several years before going to work for the Town of Ft. Gibson. After retiring from the city, he managed and worked for several rural water districts in the area. In the mid 70’s he bought a ski boat and the “Wildwood years” began. All summer and many evenings were spent on Ft. Gibson Lake pulling kids behind his boat. The Wilks backyard was locally famous for weekend volleyball games. It started in fun and quickly turned into a lighted court, permanently marked boundaries and lots of friendly (mostly) arguments. Bob was always tinkering on and building things. His truck could only be compared to Mary Poppins’ magic bag, if you needed anything it was in there. He later met and married Billie Ballew and they spent many happy years together enjoying their grandchildren and great grandchildren. Bob is lovingly survived by his daughters, Wendy Hatley and husband, Mark of Fort Gibson and Bobbi Butler of Fort Gibson; sons, Alan Wilks and wife, Sherry, of Fort Gibson and Gary Paul Wilks and wife, Tye of Oktaha; granddaughters, Ashlie Ryan and husband, John, of Waco, TX, Alana Hatley and husband, Josh English, of Houston, TX, Chelsea Heath and husband, Dustin, of Lequire, OK, Alicia Moore and husband, Steven, of Whitefield, OK; grandsons, Justin Wilks and wife, Heather of Dallas, TX, Nick Wilks and wife, Robin of Muskogee, Mark A. (Andy) Hatley, of Fort Gibson, Michael Butler and wife, Savannah of Fort Gibson; 18 great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; sister, Linda and husband, Gene Faulconer, of Fort Gibson and many friends. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Mannie Wilks and Lois and Hamilton Gray; grandparents, Press and Lettie Cooper; brother, Johnny Gray; sister, Janice Battenfield; as well as his son in-law, Paul Butler. A celebration of Bob’s life will be held 10AM Wednesday, August 24, 2022, at First Freewill Baptist Church in Fort Gibson with Reverend Russell Payne and Gary Cook officiating. Honorary urn bearers are the Fort Gibson Class of 1956, Mickey Brown, Russell Thouvenel, Gerald Thompson, Patricia Berry, Ed Farrow and Larry Wilks. The family of Bobby Wilks has entrusted his cremation and service to Clifford D Garrett Family Funeral Home, Fort Gibson. 918-478-2555. Online condolences may be left for the family at clifforddgarrettfamilyfh.com

Bobby Wilks

September 20, 1937 - August 17, 2022