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The Newkirk Herald Journal
is sad to report that Newkirk's Biggest Fan has passed away.
Below is her obituary that appeared in the May 24, 2007 issue
of NHJ.
Ethel Lillian Williford
Ethel Lillian Williford, longtime Newkirk resident, died May
21, 2007, at her home. She was 98.
The daughter of John William and Eva Maud (Howard) Goodwin, Ethel
Lillian was born Sept. 22, 1908, near Lebanon in Marshall County,
OK. She grew up and attended schools in rural Marshall County.
 On Dec. 15, 1930, Ethel
and Benjamin Franklin Williford were married in Mead, OK. The
couple established their home in Marshall County, living there
until 1943 when they moved to Oklahoma City where both were employed:
Ben at Tinker Field and Ethel with the Horn Seed Co. Ben preceded
her in death Jan. 4, 1982 after 52 years of marriage. In 1985,
Ethel moved to Newkirk to be near her daughter.
Ethel was a member of the Del City Christian Church since September
1960. In earlier years she enjoyed dancing, reading and sewing.
As her eyesight failed and she could no longer do handwork, she
listened to books on tape, but she still went dancing at every
opportunity. Her last dance was with her 90-year-old brother
in August of 2006.
She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Claudine and
John D. King of Newkirk and Nysa Leah and Don LaFevers of Carpinteria,
CA; one sister, Hattie Pratt of Lebanon, OK; one brother, Homer
Goodwin of Rohnert Park, CA; eight grandchildren; and several
great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her
parents, three brothers, Claud, Oley, and Riley Goodwin; two
sisters, Nellie McCoy and May Burgess.
Funeral services are scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May
26, in the chapel of Watts Funeral Home in Madill, OK. Burial
will follow at the Keel Cemetery near Lebanon, OK. Watts Funeral
Home of Madill is in charge of arrangements.
Those serving as casket bearers will be grandsons, James Darrell
King, Theron King and Jonathan King, and her nephews, Sam Goodwin,
Melvin Goodwin and Brent Goodwin.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Senior Citizens Building
Fund, Box 468, Newkirk 74647.
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