Woodward County Obituary
Fairlawn Cemetery

© Billings Funeral Home
WOOODWARD, WOODWARD CO, OK
(permission granted)
Submitted by: Ann Weber

BERNARD SOLIDAY

March 5, 1944 - August 18, 2018

Bernard R. Soliday, 74 year old Ft. Supply resident, passed away Saturday, August 18, 2018 at his home in Ft. Supply. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 25, 2018 at the Ft. Supply School Gymnasium. Burial will follow in the Fairlawn Cemetery, west of Ft. Supply. The family will receive friends for visitation on Friday, August 24, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Per Bernard’s wishes, the family asks that you wear OU, OSU or your OKC Thunder shirt, just please come casual to his funeral. Arrangements are under the direction of Billings Funeral Home.

Bernard Ray Soliday was born on March 5, 1944 in Webb, Oklahoma to John Ellsworth and Evelyn Pearl Soliday. Early on, Bernard attended school at Tangier before moving to Fort Supply schools. As a teenager, he worked for farmer and rancher, Albert Burgess and he also went on harvest with them. Bernard worked in the oil field for a while, hauled hay with Jerry Stewart, worked on a dairy farm before going back to the oilfield. He really loved working in the oilfield where he made many life long friends.

He was united in marriage to Lois Jane Branstetter on September 25, 1963 in Vici, Oklahoma. They made their first home in Ft. Supply before moving in 1968 to Arnett. The family moved back to Ft. Supply in 1970 and they have lived there ever since. He retired in 1986 after getting hurt and ended up losing his leg. But that didn’t slow Bernard down, he loved riding around in his golf cart to see everyone.

Bernard was a member of the Woodward Elks Lodge. He was also a volunteer Fireman for the Ft. Supply Fire Department for 26 years. He was really proud to be a fireman and all the men he fought fires with during that time.

Bernard loved spending time with his family and friends, going to the coffee shop and seeing his buddies. He loved visiting with kids, big and little, discussing and trading guns with his buddies and being with his mare Poco. Bernard never met a stranger and people were always welcome at his home. He loved to sit under the trees on his west patio (weather permitting) and could BS with the best of them. He and Lois have a lot of very special friends who have been so helpful through all of his sickness.

He is survived by his wife of almost 56 years, Lois Soliday of the home; one son, Michael David Soliday; one daughter Misty Bergeron and husband David, who Bernard felt was like another son to him; five grandchildren: Vanessa and Dan Lindeman of Coral Springs, Florida, Jeremy and Ashley Soliday of Woodward, Jessica Soliday of Woodward, Aaron and Becca Bergeron of Fargo, Thea Bergeron of Woodward; 10 great-grandchildren; two brothers: Keith and Cara Hunter, Larry Soliday; two sisters: Arleta and Gary Pummel and Diana Soliday; other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Lowell Soliday, one sister Darlene Weder, one son Joe Don Soliday, and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and his special friends Bill and Bob Drake.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Ft. Supply Fire Department with the funeral home accepting the contributions.

The family would like to thank Faith Hospice and Reverend Janet Fitz for their care and thoughtfulness during Bernard’s illness.