Virgil Deward Gann passed away in Oklahoma City, June 27, 2022 at the age of 81. Virgil was born March 12 , 1941 in Carson, Oklahoma to Jewell Rupert Gann and Vallie Shipley Gann.

Sarah Joyce Puckett, Joyce to all who knew her, was born on May 18, 1928, to Joseph C. Taylor and Della Raines Taylor at Dustin, Oklahoma and passed away Friday, July 1, 2022, at the age of 94. Joyce attended Dustin schools and graduated high school as salutatorian. During those later years she worked at Oscar Cook’s drugstore and during one summer Joyce worked for Parrish and Clark Dodge in Tulsa.

Bill J. Shipley was born April 1, 1930 to Audie and Opal (Pogue) Shipley, Bill passed from this life June 18, 2022 in Seminole, Oklahoma at the age of 92. Bill was born and raised in Holdenville, Oklahoma. After graduating from High School, he worked in construction with his uncle J.D. House, learning skills that would serve him his whole life. Bill was deeply patriotic and proudly served in the U.S. Navy for four years, stationed at the Corpus Christi Naval Air Station, Quonset Point, Rhode Island, and San Juan Puerto Rico, After being discharged from service, he returned to Oklahoma and the construction field. As a Construction Manager, Bill worked across the United States, Bill supervised the construction of numerous apartment complexes, student housing projects and residential homes. He also shared his knowledge of the trade, teaching vocational carpentry at Holdenville High School. He enjoyed a long career, retiring from the field in 2008 at the age of 78. For many years, Bill enjoyed fishing and spending time at Oklahoma Lakes. He was also an avid sports fan. He loved to watch baseball, football, and basketball. He rarely missed an opportunity to cheer on any of the OU Sooners, and took pride in his status as a lifelong fan. He is survived by his wife Ann (Jones) Shipley of the home, his sons, Lee Shipley (Edmond, OK), and Larry Shipley (Edmond, OK), and Mike Jones and wife April (Seminole, OK), Bill’s younger sister Shirley and her husband Eddie Nance, reside in Asheville, NC. Bill will be deeply missed by his grandchildren: Taylor Shipley (Dallas, TX), Kyle Kay, (New Braunfels, TX), Tanya Kay (Hartford, CN), Tyler Jones and wife Brittany (Venus, TX), Dustin Jones and wife Krista, Valerie Kiker and husband Derek, Lane Jones and Larsen Jones (all of Seminole, OK), Dustin Hatfield, and Amy Hatfield Hadley. Bill was also blessed with great-grandchildren, Zac Kay (San Antonio, TX), Shelby Kay (Euless, TX), and Brooks Jones (Seminole, OK). Bill leaves behind many cousins, nieces, nephews and relatives including, JannaBeth Tipton (Tulsa, OK), Kathryn Cooper and husband Kelly (Skiatook, OK), Jay Moore and wife Angie (Chesapeake, VA), John Nance (Palm Springs, CA), Clark Nance (Asheville, NC), Leslie Lee and husband Steven (Horntown, OK), Rex Nance and wife Heather (Asheville, NC), Stephanie Wilburn and husband Zack (Edmond, OK), Ryan Nance (Dallas, TX), and Julia Nance, (Asheville, NC). Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Audie and Opal (Pogue) Shipley. Wife, Jo Hatfield Shipley, her son Ronnie Hatfield, and her daughter Donna Cluck. Viewing will be 9:00am- 7:00pm Tuesday, June 21st and 9:00am-7:00pm Wednesday, June 22nd and Hudson-Phillips Funeral Home, Holdenville. Graveside services officiated by Rev. Doyle Long, will be at 10:00am, Thursday, June 23, 2022 at Holdenville Cemetery. Pallbearers will include Lee Shipley, Larry Shipley, Mike Jones, Dustin Jones, Tyler Jones, and Lane Jones. Services under the direction of Hudson-Phillips Funeral Home in Holdenville, Oklahoma.

Patricia Ruth Tate, formerly Patricia Ruth Malone, of Tulsa, Oklahoma went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, at the age of 78. We are sure of her presence with the Lord because of her faith in Jesus as her Savior.

Sharon Jene Dodson Hall passed away June 1, 2022 after a brief battle with lung cancer. Sharon was born to Floyd “Gene” and Mary Ella “Pat” Dodson January 29, 1943 in Lamar, Oklahoma.

Nancy Annette Taylor went to meet the Lord Saturday, June 11th, 2022 at Holdenville General Hospital in Holdenville, Oklahoma at the age of 74. Nancy was born November 10, 1947 in Dustin, Oklahoma to Robert Elvin Flanagan Sr.

Billy Donald Giles, 93, of Newcastle, Oklahoma died peacefully in his sleep and entered the presence of his Savior, Jesus Christ on Wednesday, June 8, 2022. He joined his beloved wife of 69 years, Mary Anne to stroll down the streets of gold catching up on the last year and a half.

Jimmy Caroll Wortman passed away Monday, June 13, 2022 at Boyce Manor Nursing Home at the age of 79. Jimmy was born May 4, 1943 in Rock Creek, Oklahoma to James Wortman and Flora Doreen (Smith) Wortman.

Donald Lee Long passed away in Holdenville, Oklahoma on Tuesday, May 31, 2022, at the age of 67. Donald was the son of Nathan Long Sr. & Cindy (McGeeley) Long, born on June 26, 1954, in Talihina, Oklahoma. He was brought up and attended schools in Holdenville, and graduated Holdenville High School with the Class of 1973. He lived most of his life in the Holdenville area, and worked in his younger years for Camp Oil Company and Village Market. He later worked for Wrangler, Wal Mart, and Creek Nation Casino Security before retiring due to failing health. He was a member of Salt Creek Methodist Church. He loved fishing and racing cars and trucks at Thunder Valley, and he loved spending time with family and friends. He will be greatly missed.

Helen Marie Duncan passed away on May 27, 2022, after a courageous 21-year battle with kidney cancer. Helen was born June 22, 1943, in Holdenville, Oklahoma to parents Wesley and Anna Johnson. Helen was raised in a loving home by her mother and grandmother. After graduating from high school in Holdenville, Helen attended college in Ada, Oklahoma at East Central University. Helen graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business, English and secondary education. She continued to earn a master’s degree in secondary education at East Central University and secondary administrative certification from Northern Arizona University.