Fess Ervin ''Shorty'' Waller

Fess Ervin ''Shorty'' Waller was born June 4, 1915 in Roff, Oklahoma. He was one of twelve children of John Calvin and Cora Waller. During his childhood, Fess moved frequently with his family as they worked as share croppers. Shorty attended school, completing through the eight grade at Checotah.

Upon completion of his schooling, Fess started a career in farming in which he continued until the onset of World War II. Shorty was married to Helen Francis Hamm in Checotah on June 14, 1936. During the war the couple made their home in Tulsa as Fess worked as a welder for McDonnell Douglas in Tulsa. Upon completion of the war in 1946, the couple moved to Talala where they raised their three children, Fess Ervin, Jr., Sue and Bobbie. Fess owned and operated a dairy farm in Talala for nearly twelve years at which time he established a right of way clearing business, Waller's Saw Service. Shorty relocated his family and business to Cleveland in 1969. His company contracted right of way clearing services for the Indian Electric in Cleveland for many years. Additionally, Fess repaired and sharpened chain saws as part of his services. Mr. Waller retired in 1980, however he continued to provide knowledge to other family member who continued in the contracting business.

Shorty was a longtime and faithful member of the First Assembly of God Church in Cleveland where he has served as Sunday School Teacher and Deacon. Although his life was filled with much happiness, his family seemed to be his pride and joy. He enjoyed his relationship with his brothers and sisters, but was especially proud of his grandchildren. He loved taking them on trips and spending as much time as possible with them. Additionally, Fess liked traveling to Beaver Lake where he would fish for trout. He was fond of gospel music and spent countless hours going to gospel singing throughout the area. Through his career, Fess developed an intensive knowledge of horticulture especially in the area of trees, plants and shrubs.

Shorty passed away on Friday, April 12, 2002 at the Tulsa Regional Medical Center at the age of eighty-six years, ten months and eight days. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Jess Ervin Waller, Jr.; five brothers, Dennis, Carl, Cordle and two infant brothers; and three sisters, Bertha, Helen and an infant sister, Dovie.

He is survived by his wife, Helen; two daughters and their husbands, Sue and Jerry Smith, Cleveland, Oklahoma and Bobbie and James Haile, Edmond, Oklahoma; six grandchildren, Rob Harper, Talala, Oklahoma, Sandy Harper, Cleveland, Oklahoma, Terri Day, Cleveland, Oklahoma, Dusty Harper, Talala, Oklahoma, Stacy Haile, Kansas City, Kansas, Andrea Richardson, Edmond, Oklahoma; nine great-grandchildren; brother, Johnny Waller of Oregon; two sisters, Grace Frazier, Checotah, Oklahoma and Irene Browning, Winslow, Arkansas.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 16, 2002 at the First Assembly of God Church in Cleveland with Pastor Dan Edens officiating. A committal service will be held at 4:30 pm,, Tuesday, at the Memorial Park Cemetery in Nowata, Oklahoma.

Serving as pallbearers will be Dusty Harper, Rob Harper, Stacy Haile, Jeff Richardson, Travis Harper and Kelby Edens. Honorary pallbearers will be Toby Day, Tucker Day, Brandon Harper and Zachary Richardson.

Visit an online obituary and guestbook for Fess ''Shorty'' Waller at www.chapman-black.com.''