William Rayford Jones

© Enid Morning News

11-09-2005

Submitted by: Jo Aguirre

William Rayford "Wilford" Jones was born on April 13, 1914, at Lockney, Texas to William Albert "Wilber" and Irene Lettitia (Tishie) Wood Jones and passed away November 8, 2005, at his home in Enid.

He was the third child of seven children. Be-ing raised in a Christ-ian home, he devoted his life to God at an early age and became a Methodist minister. He was also a loving husband and father.

Wilford's family moved from Lockney to Memphis, Texas at an early age. He graduated in 1930 from Memphis High School at the age of 16. He attended Texas Southwestern College at Weatherford, Texas, Miami Oklahoma Junior College at Miami, OK, and Northeastern in Tahlequah, OK. His seminary was done by correspondence courses from Perkins, Southern Methodist University, St. Paul's in Kansas City, Oklahoma City University, and Colorado where he received his degree. Ordina-tion was in Okmulgee, OK.

In 1938, Wilford moved to Bluejacket, OK where he taught school, attended college, and held a 5 circuit pastorate. He met his future wife at a revival in Mobeetie; where he was the songleader and she was the pianist. On August 11, 1939 he and Aileene Lee were married at Mobeetie, Texas. She preceded him in death on June 28, 2005. They celebrated 65 years 11 months of marriage. After they were married, they lived in Bluejacket, and then served churches all over the state of Oklahoma. The churches he was pastor of or the appointments he held were Bluejacket, Welch, Allan, St. Louis, Wilberton, Tip-ton, Hollis, Guymon, Duncan, Woodward District Superinten-dent, St. Paul's Muskogee, Tulsa Will Rogers, Administrator of the Share Convalescent Hos-pital in Alva, Woodward First Church, First Methodist in Okla-homa City, Superintendent of Children Services for the Child-ren's Home in Tahlequah, Fran-cis E. Willard Home in Tulsa, Altus First Methodist, Putnam City, and Midwest City. He retired from the ministry in 1974.

Other accomplishments during Wilford's life were: In 1953 he was the youngest district superintendent having ever serv-ed. He received his Doctor of Divinity Degree in 1955 from Oklahoma City University. In 1951 he became a 32nd degree Mason and went on to become a Shriner the following year. He was also involved in the Indian Affairs of the Methodist Church. After his retirement, he became a real estate salesman in Oklahoma City, being affiliated with Key Realty. He received his license in 1974. In 1976 they moved to Enid.

Preceding him in death were his wife, parents, two sisters, and two brothers.

Survivors are three daughters, La Nita Jones of the home, Linda Goad and husband Jerry of Marion, Iowa, and Leanna Messenger and husband Roy of Hillsdale; two brothers, Durward Jones of Amarillo, Texas and and Rayburn Jones of Birmingham, Alabama; six grandchildren, Mi-chael and Pam Goad of Whittier, IA., Mary Goad and Mitch Goad of Marion, IA., Scott and Kelli Messenger of Goltry, Shannon and Annette Messenger of Ponca City, and Stephanie and Jon Peveler of Oilton, OK; seven great-grandchildren and one step-granddaughter.

The funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, November 10, 2005, in the Henninger-Allen Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Phil Ware will officiate. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Hospice Circle of Love or the First United Methodist Church with Henninger-Allen serving as custodians to the fund.

Condolences may be made at www.enidwecare.com.

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