Ray Idleman

Ray Idleman, age 89 of Lexington, passed away Friday, March 07, 2014 in Noble, OK. Ray was born October 10, 1924 on a farm SW of Purcell near the Bryant community. He was the 7th child of 11 children born to Lester Ray Idleman and Carrie Mae (Hawkins) Idleman. Ray grew up a farm boy and learned how to work hard picking cotton and cutting broomcorn. In his early years of school he attended the Bryant school, later he attended Wayne schools before finishing high school at Washington, graduating with the class of 1943. Ray married Erma Phillips on February 26, 1944 in Purcell. They later started a family, raising four children, Orbin, Jimmy, Shirley and Sam. Ray and Erma first lived southwest of Woody Chapel where Ray worked as a farmer. Several years later he got a job working for the Oklahoma State Highway Department. Then in 1950, Ray began a career as a machinist working at Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City. He worked there a total of 33 years before retiring as supervisor. In 1951, Ray moved his family near Slaughterville, OK and has remained living there for the past 63 years. He loved living in the country and was an avid gardener. After retiring he spent much time doing woodworking and traveling. After Erma passed away in 2003, Ray remarried a year later, marring Mary Smith Wiltshire. They were married on Feb. 12, 2004. Ray and Mary also enjoyed traveling and spending time with their children and grandchildren. Ray was a faithful Christian and was a member of the Noble First Baptist Church for nearly 60 years where he served for many years as a Deacon. He was preceded in death by: Parents: Les and Mae Idleman, 1st wife: Erma on May 13, 2003, 3 Sisters: Mattie Belle Mullins, Marie Crabtree and Lena Vaughn, 4 brothers: Albert, Frank, Rudy and Loyd Idleman, One great grandson: Aaron Potts, He is survived by: Wife: Mary Idleman of the home, 3 sons: Orbin Idleman and wife Janna of Noble, Jimmy Idleman and wife Tia of Norman, Sam Idleman and wife Shirley of Noble, One daughter: Shirley Jones and husband Jack of Rosedale, 2 stepsons: Wayne Wiltshire and wife Linda of Kirbyville, Texas Donnie Wiltshire and wife Irma of Cary, North Carolina 2 brothers: Tom Idleman and wife Alura of Purcell, Ted Idleman and wife Jo of Wayne, One sister: Fannie Lou Green and husband Sam of Purcell, One sister-in-law: Faye Phillips of Purcell, 10 grandchildren, 5 step grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, 7 step great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Monday, March 10, 2014 at Wilson-Little Funeral Home Chapel in Purcell. Interment will be at Hillside Cemetery in Purcell. Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.

Ray Idleman

October 10, 1924 - March 7, 2014