Willard Franklin "Boe"
Kizer
Dec 13, 1915 - Jul 18, 2013
Posted by Jo Aguirre
The children
of Willard Franklin (Boe) Kizer would like to inform his remaining family,
friends, and acquaintances of their father’s passing on Thursday, July 18, 2013
at the age of 97. Willard (Boe) was born on December 13, 1915 in Ponca City, the
son of Charles and Alta May (Martin) Kizer.
Boe grew up on
the family farm in Osage County and attended school through the 9th grade until
he quit to help on the farm. He met and married his wife, the mother of his
children, Opal P. Mitchell Kizer on January 22, 1938. The day after their
marriage he lost his job which forced them to move in with relatives until he
secured a job with Continental Oil Company working in the refinery.
From this
marriage three children were born; Harlan Franklin in 1939, Nila Fern in 1941
and Marvin Robert (Bobby) in 1945.
Boe continued
to work for Conoco for 36 ½ years retiring in 1974. After his retirement, Boe
and Opal owned and operated several restaurants in Ponca City, the last being
Opal’s Café, now known as Happy Days at 5th and Grand. Opal preceded him in
death in October 1983.
Boe then
married Cleo George Kizer in 1987 and they resided in rural Arkansas City until
Cleo’s death in 2008. After his 2nd wife’s death he moved to Sterling House in
Arkansas City where he lived until his passing.
In his younger
years Boe enjoyed being with family, hunting, fishing and working on his small
farm in Osage County. Boe was a hard worker and took on tasks with enthusiasm
from remodeling a house, building kitchen cabinets, rebuilding an engine,
digging a storm shelter with a slip and mule, also bucking hay, plowing fields
with horses, growing an enormous garden, cooking and playing water war with the
kids. He will be sorely missed.
Boe is
survived by his sons, Harlan and wife Ruby of St. Joseph, Missouri, Bobby and
wife Larie of Tulsa and daughter Nila and husband Larry Speakman of Ponca City;
two step-daughters, Glennora and husband Richard Reed and Jackie Dodson or rural
Newkirk; along with five grandchildren, several great grandchildren and many
nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; both
wives, his sister Mazie Baker and brother Warner Lee Kizer, an infant brother
and two infant grandsons.
A graveside
service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, July 22, 2013 at Resthaven Memorial Park
Cemetery with Rev. Mark Lyon presiding. Arrangements are under the direction of
Grace Memorial Chapel. In lieu of flowers those wishing may make a donation to
their favorite charity.
This site may be freely linked, but not duplicated in any way without consent.
All rights reserved! Commercial use of material within this site is prohibited!
© 2000-2024 Oklahoma CemeteriesThe information on this site is provided free for the purpose of researching your genealogy. This material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, for your own research, as long as this message remains on all copied material. The information contained in this site may not be copied to any other site without written "snail-mail" permission. If you wish to have a copy of a donor's material, you must have their permission. All information found on these pages is under copyright of Oklahoma Cemeteries. This is to protect any and all information donated. The original submitter or source of the information will retain their copyright. Unless otherwise stated, any donated material is given to Oklahoma Cemeteries to make it available online. This material will always be available at no cost, it will always remain free to the researcher.