Wilford Ray Cheers

Wilford Ray Cheers was born south of Cleveland, Oklahoma in rural Pawnee County on June 27, 1932. He was the son of Roy Rex and Geraldine (Fields) Cheers. His family moved in Willís early childhood to a farm just east of Jennings where he was raised and attended school, graduating from Jennings High School in 1950. Shortly after graduation, Will moved to Synder, Texas where he accepted employment with Lofton Brothers Drilling Company as a roughneck. After nearly two years working in the oilfields of west Texas, Will returned home to Jennings. He continued to work there until he was inducted into the service of this country in the United States Army on January 27, 1953. Upon completion of basic training, Will was assigned as a radio operation supervisor in the C Battery of 235th Field Artillery Observation Battalion in Korea. After serving nearly ten months in Korea, PFC Cheers returned to Fort Carson, Colorado for separation processing. He was honorably discharged on January 11, 1955, receiving the following decorations and citations: Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. Will returned to Cleveland, Oklahoma upon his release from active duty as his parents and relocated to Cleveland during his time in the service. Shortly after returning to Oklahoma, Will enrolled and attended Oklahoma Baptist University for a year and then moved transferred to Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, Texas. Following the death of his mother, Geraldine Cheers, Will returned to Jennings to assist in the care of his father. He began working on a survey team, surveying land needed for the construction of Keystone Lake. Upon completion of that project he worked in a similar position in Kansas. Will then moved back to Jennings and began Cleet training to become certified as a law enforcement officer. Upon graduation, Will accepted a position as a police office for the Drumright Police Department and then later was employed an a police office for the Stroud Police Department. After his brother, Charles Frederick Cheers was tragically killed in an airplane accident, Will moved back to Jennings to assist his father in the operation of the family owned independent oil production company, Cheers Production. Will continued to operate the company until he sold his leases to Barry Sparks in 1996. He then accepted a position with Spess Oil as a pumper where he remained active until health concerns required his retirement in 2000. Will resided in Cleveland during this time and after surgery later went back to work for Spess Oil until his permanent retirement a couple of years later. Will was always fascinated by electronics and was an avid Ham and CB radio operator for many years. He would often tinker on electronic projects around the house. He was a longtime member of the Oakhill Full Gospel Church near Terlton. He passed away on Friday, November 29, 2013 at the St. John Medical Center in Tulsa at the age of eighty-one. He is survived by his son and his wife, Brian and Karen Inman of Owasso, Oklahoma; and two grandsons, Seth and Braydon Inman of Owasso, Oklahoma. In addtion to his mother and brother, Will was preceded in death by his father, Roy Rex Cheers. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Tuesday, December 3, 2013 at the Oakhill Full Gospel Church with Rev. Harrel Jones officiating. Burial wil be at the Woodland Cemetery in Cleveland under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home.