Willard Burton

Marietta Monitor

August 20, 2004, page 4

Submitted by: Martha N. Reddout

Graveside services with Masonic Rites for Willard Burton, 93, of Marietta, were held at 10 a.m., Saturday, August 14, in the Lakeview Cemetery, Marietta, with Pastor Terry Walker officiating.

Mr. Burton was born June 20, 1911, at Ada, the son of William Henry and Lillie Mae Hughes Burton. He died Wednesday, August 11, 2004, in Mercy Memorial Health Center, Ardmore.

A resident of Love County most of his life, Mr. Burton was retired from Continental Oil Company where he had worked as a driller for 16 years. He was also employed as a security guard for Huber Oil Company and as custodian at the Love County Courthouse. He and Emma Mildred Burton were married August 17, 1946, in Cooke County, Texas. A Mason for more than 50 years, Mr. Burton was a member of Masonic Lodge No. 287 at Kingston. He was an honorary member of the Love County Sheriff's Department Reserves and prior to his death was recognized as the oldest living deputy in the State of Oklahoma. In 1991, Mr. Burton was honored as the Grand Marshal of the Love County Frontier Days Celebration. He loved to play music and attend Bluegrass Festivals. He won fiddling contests all over Oklahoma and parts of Texas. In addition to music, Mr. Burton enjoyed playing dominoes at the Sanders Center in Marietta. He was loved and will be missed by all.

Survivors include his wife, Emma Burton of the home; a son and daughter-in-law, Henry and Lana Burton of Lone Grove; three daughters and sons-in-law, Mary and Charlie Hughes of Marietta, Mildred Burton of Kingston and Georgia and Roy Wade of Thackerville; a brother, Bo Burton of Mannsville; a sister, Rosie Crow of Marietta; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Mr. Burton was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Viola Buckaloo; a granddaughter, Holli Hughes; and a great-granddaughter, Chelsea Nichole Hughes.

Pallbearers were Clayton Hughes, Chris Jones, Johnny Wade, Brian Liddell, Joe Russell and Vernon Hughes. Honorary pallbearers were members of the Love County Sheriff's Department Reserves, and the Masonic Lodge No. 287 of Kingston.

Services were under the direction of Flanagan-Watts Funeral Home, Marietta.

This obituary included a picture of Mr. Burton.