Eileen Elizabeth Robl Willson, age 87, was born in Ellinwood, Kansas on October 12, 1935, to George J. and Loretta M. (Schartz) Robl. She married Lawrence Wayne Willson on June 12, 1954, at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, north of Ellinwood. She passed peacefully from this life on May 13, 2023.
She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers, Vernon, Ray, and Martin Robl. She is survived by her husband of nearly 69 years, Lawrence Wayne Willson of Oklahoma City, OK, her son Ron Willson and his companion Luisa of Loveland, CO, her daughter Nancy, and her husband Jim Reese of Enid, OK, her son Dan Willson and his wife Sue of Elk City, OK, her son J.B. Willson and his wife Merisha, Oklahoma City, OK.
Grandchildren, Erica and her husband Justin Sessions, Austin Willson, and his companion Emily, Laura and her husband Garrett Johnson, Clint Reese and his wife Gizem, Lindsey and her husband Ryan Shockey, Erin and her husband Jake Brown, Trent Willson, Derrick Willson, and Dillon Willson, along with thirteen great-grandchildren.
Eileen’s love and focus on God and family were always her top priority. She was a lady of great faith and she passed that on not just her family, but many others as well. She was there for every celebration, birthday, graduation, wedding, and more for all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Every birthday we looked forward to her phone call to sing Happy Birthday to us. She was the first call we would make when we had any news, good or bad because we wanted to share and get her input, support, and her special prayers. Eileen was a beautiful soul, caring about everyone. She was an amazing friend and mentor to many. She always made time to listen and offer spiritual support. She loved her gardens, enjoying God’s work in nature with birds and flowers, especially hummingbirds and roses. She was always ready to play cards with friends and family. As a member of the St. Eugene parish in Weatherford, Eileen served as Chairman of the Liturgical Committee, a member of the Ladies Guild, led several bible studies, was a founding member of the College Lunch Committee, and attended several Spiritual Formation Classes at Clinton, OK.
Over the years she had several occupations, including accounting and bookkeeping assistant, owner and operator of Willson’s, a variety store with a soda fountain and the tag agency in Mooreland, OK, and bookkeeper for The Center (YMCA) in Weatherford, OK.
Services to celebrate her life will include a Wake service at 7:00 PM on Thursday, May 18, at Buchanan Funeral Home Chapel, 8712 N. Council Rd, Oklahoma City. A funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, May 19, 2023, at the Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Church, 7336 W Britton Rd, Oklahoma City, OK.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Benedictine College, 1020 N. 2nd St., Atchison, KS 66002, or Catholic Charities of Oklahoma, 1232 N. Classen Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73106, www.catholiccharitiesok.org, or to your favorite charity.
