Willis Lockwood
Willis Lockwood passed through the gates of heaven on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018. He was 64 years old. A celebration of his life will be held Friday, Oct. 19, 2018 at 10 a.m. at New Hope Christian Fellowship, 401 S. Lincoln, Ponca City with Pastor Jack Adams officiating.
Willis was born Sept. 6, 1954 in Arkansas City, Kan. to Byron Harold Lockwood and Gail Evelyn Watson Lockwood Kahler. He graduated high school at New Holland-Middleton, Ill. Soon after graduation, he joined the Army and served his country for three years. He married the love of his life, Debra Hicks, on June 24, 1989. They made their home in Ponca City, and were faithful members of New Hope Christian Fellowship.
Willis was a man of many interests and there was never a dull moment when he was around. He could always be counted on to bring comic relief into any situation. He loved music and was a skilled musician, playing guitar, singing and writing gospel songs. While his health allowed, he was an active member of the praise and worship team at his church, as well as their outreach band 2nd Chance. He was instrumental in developing their video outreach, as well as developing and managing the internet radio station NHCF Radio.
Willis enjoyed people and loved spending time with his family and friends. He would often tell stories of the adventures he had fishing with his close family friend Shirley Crumm. He talked with love and joy about the day he became a grandpa and how proud he was to welcome his triplet grandchildren, Harry, Henry, and Maggie Lockwood. He loved watching Old Westerns on TV and could never pass up a treasure hunt at a good pawn shop. Willis enjoyed working with his hands, especially building and shaping things from wood. He would spend long hours making walking sticks and canes, as well as building and rebuilding guitars. He passed many of his talents onto his sons, Jeremy and Matthew Lockwood. If there were only one characteristic we could use to describe Willis, it would have to be that he was a man of God. He loved the Lord with all his heart and seized every opportunity to spread the love of Jesus to all who would listen. He was loved by many and will be deeply missed.
Willis is survived by his wife Debra of the home; son Jeremy and wife Rhianna Lockwood and their triplets Harry, Henry, and Maggie; son Matthew and wife Alison Lockwood; his father Byron Harold and wife Jolene Lockwood; two brothers, Byron Jr. and wife Jorita Lockwood; and Terry and wife Carol Lockwood; five sisters, Gail and husband Edward Anderson; Tammy Nelson; Theresa Haines; Crystal Kahler Carnahan; and Tonda Cloud; as well as a host of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother; stepfather Gilbert Alan Kahler; and one sister Marie Friesland.
It was Willis’s desire that in lieu of flowers donations be made to New Hope Christian Fellowship building fund to further the video ministry. Donations may be sent to: New Hope Christian Fellowship PO Box 1305 Ponca City, OK 74602.
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