Blackwell Cemetery, Kay County, Oklahoma

William Eugene “Bill” Barber was born on December 22, 1925, in Canadian, Texas, to Elmer Matthew and Mildred Jane (Cathey) Barber. As an infant he moved with his family to Blackwell where he grew up and attended Blackwell Public Schools graduating in 1944. He entered the United States Army on June 28, 1944, serving during World War II. While serving on Okinawa he was wounded and disabled and received the Purple Heart Award for his valor. Following his discharge he was sent to Temple, Texas, to continue recovering from his injury. He later returned to Blackwell and attended Northern Oklahoma Junior College in Tonkawa. He then moved to Kansas City where he attended and learned the trade of watch making. He married Velda Rae Luallen on November 5, 1948, at her mother’s home in Blackwell and they settled in Memphis, Tennessee, where he learned jewelry repair. In 1950 they moved to New Mexico to make their home and returned to Blackwell in 1954 where he worked with his father and brother as a broker in their trucking business. He was a member of the Blackwell Church of Christ where he also served as an elder. He enjoyed and will always be remembered as a man who could fix anything.

He is survived by his wife, Velda Barber of Blackwell; two daughters, Judy Colwell of Blackwell and Becca Walcher of Tonkawa; a sister, Rozella Clements of Derby, Kansas; a brother, Sam Barber of Portland, Oregon; four grandchildren; and five great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Saturday, January 12, 2008, in the Blackwell Church of Christ with Lanny Jobe officiating. Burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery with military honors presented by the Blackwell American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Velda Rae Barber

© Roberts and Sons Funeral Home

12-2019

Submitted by: Glenn

May 30, 1927 - December 24, 2019

Velda Rae Barber, age 92, passed away on Tuesday, December 24, 2019. She was born to the late Doyle and Bertha Mae (Hamilton) Luallen on May 30, 1927. She attended a country school until moving to Blackwell, where she graduated from Blackwell High School in 1944 .She married her high school sweetheart, William (Bill) Barber on November 5, 1948. They had two daughters, Judy Rae and Becca Jean.

Velda Rae enjoyed many hobbies, including sewing, oil painting, and playing the guitar and piano. She loved music and singing. Additionally, she and her late husband, Bill, loved camping in their travel trailer, spending time with family, and following the activities of their grandchildren.

Velda was a long-time member of the Blackwell Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by her parents, as well as her husband, Bill, and a brother, Duane Luallen. She is survived by her two daughters: Judy Colwell and her husband, Jerry of Ponca City and Becca Walcher and her husband, Ron of Tonkawa. She also leaves behind four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

The funeral is scheduled for Monday, December 30, at 10:00 a.m. at the Blackwell Church of Christ with Lanny Jobe officiating. Burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery. Casketbearers will be Scott Harmon, Luke Walcher, Joshua Walcher and Paul Walcher.

The family wishes to thank all of those who provided loving care for Velda over the last few years while she was at Willow Haven Nursing Home in Tonkawa, Oklahoma.

A memorial has been established in her honor with the Blackwell Church of Christ in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.

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