Watie R. Hembree was born January 1, 1919, in Stilwell, Oklahoma to Ray D. Hembree and Carlotta Ruth (Adair) Hembree. He departed this life May 8, 2011, at the Stilwell Nursing Home at the age of 92 years, four months and seven days.
Watie was married to Maxine Wilkie in Stilwell, Oklahoma on November 23, 1967. Watie was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving his country proudly during World War II. During his lifetime he worked as a painter and carpenter. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening and tending his pecan trees. Watie was of the Holiness faith.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Carlotta Hembree and two brothers, Sam and Vernon Hembree. Watie’s surviving family includes his wife of 44 years, Maxine Hembree, of the home; son, Ron Hembree, of Stinnett, TX; granddaughter, Michelle Willstatter and husband, Karl, of Parker, CO; great grandchildren, Kylie and Erik Willstatter, of Parker, CO; sisters, Alene Padgett and husband, Dewey, of Sallisaw and Marie Boren, of Westville; brothers, Monroe Hembree and wife, Rose, of Stilwell, Ivan Hembree and wife, Ruth Ann, of Stilwell, Dan Hembree and wife, Audrey, of Westville, Al Hembree and wife, Sue, of Westville; stepchildren, Ted and Cindy Ritter and family, of Richmond, VA, Bill and Connie Ritter and family, of Anderson, MO, Rita and Keith Johnson and family, of Park Hill. Several nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones also survive him.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, May 12, 2011, at Roberts Reed Culver Funeral Home with Bro. Hubert Sponsler officiating. Interment will follow at the Stilwell City Cemetery under the direction of Hart Funeral Home of Stilwell.
