Willie Ricks, Sr obit
Graveside Service for Willie Leon Ricks, Sr., 74 of Pocola, Oklahoma will be at 11:00am on Thursday, June 29, 2023 at United States National Cemetery in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Cremation is under the direction of Mallory-Martin Funeral Home in Spiro, Oklahoma.
Willie Leon Ricks, Sr. was born on June 23rd, 1948, and went home to be with the Lord, on June 17th, 2023. Willie was born in Sebastian County, Arkansas (Fort Smith), to the late Maurice Ricks and the late Cozetta Franklin. He attended grade school in Fort Smith, and moved to Cedars, Oklahoma (Pocola), graduating from Pocola High School in 1966. He soon entered the United States Army, where he served as a field lineman, in the Vietnam War.
After his tour of duty, he returned home, married, and started a family while working for many years at Whirlpool. Willie went on to live in Maryland and later moved to Little Rock, Arkansas, where he lived and worked at Coca-Cola for many years.
He returned once again to Cedars, Oklahoma, where he united with his forever soulmate, Virgal Ann Dixon-Ricks. After retirement from Coca-Cola, he had hopes of travel and creating joyous memories in his senior years. However, due to declining health, Willie was unable to continue exploring his many passions. “Chill”, as he was often called by family and friends (near and far), was a remarkable artist and outdoorsman, who loved the culture in which he was raised. Throughout his lifetime, he had a great passion for hunting and body building and enjoyed farming and marathon running.
He leaves to cherish precious memories with his beloved and dedicated wife, Virgal Ann; one daughter, Kimberly, and three sons, Willie Jr., Brian and William, along with their loving families; two sisters, Natha Lee and Cynthia; two brothers, Maurice and Lee Alfred; and two sisters, proceeding Willie in death, Norman and Jacqueline; along with many special nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Thank God for the joyous life of Willie Leon Ricks, Sr.
You may leave an online message at www.mallorymartinfuneralhome.com.
Get Local News!
