Donald E. Housley was born April 24th, 1933 in Jenks, OK to Chester C. and Pauline V. Housley. He passed from this life to the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on August 26, 2013, at the age of 80. He was surrounded by his loving family and his loyal little dog Ruby and cat Charlie. They never left his side.
Donald attended Jenks School until he decided he wanted to see the world with his buddies. A group of them decided to try and all went to sign up with the military at the same time. Only two of the group made the grade out of the five that went. He was one of the two.
Donald enlisted in the Army Air Corp at the young age of 14, fibbing just a little bit about his age to get in. He took his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. Shortly after his enlistment, the Army Air Corp was changed to the United States Air Force.
By the time he was 16 years old he was in Lakenheath, England. He was all over the world during his military service, including 3 winters in Korea, during the Korean War. His combat record is as follows: he received the Korean Service Medal, the UN Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. He was discharged from the Francis E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming in 1956.
His next career was as an over the road truck driver that lasted over 40 years. He dearly loved his job and won many safety awards and met many, many friends during his days on the road. He started his first driving job for American Tank and Vessel in Tulsa, and then came home to Sapulpa and worked for Sapulpa Tank. He then went to GATX in Houston, TX., then once again came home to Sapulpa to drive for WEBCO Tank. He went back to Houston, Tx for Wyatt Field Services where his driving days were cut short by a severe accident. He never gave up wanting to drive a big rig again but it was not to be.
In 1972 Donald met who he said was “the love of my life.” He and Sandra were married in September 1974 on Friday the 13th. The union joined together eight children. He was the kindest most generous person anyone could have hoped to call Husband, Son, Brother, Uncle, Friend and most of all Daddy, Grandpa or PawPaw. His main purpose in life was to make everyone else happy first and asked nothing for himself except to be loved. And that he was.
He lived to see his 80th birthday, we hoped for so much more but he just got too tired and so many of his friends and loved ones have passed before him, maybe he just wanted to get together again and visit about the good old days.
It was especially hard on him the last few years having lost two of his children within two years of each other, both at the young age of forty six. He was there for his wife and dried up many tears and tried to comfort her while suffering himself in silence.
Don was an avid bowler while his health allowed him to bowl, he loved walking in the park with his kids and grandkids. He was always at a ballgame or track meet. When his health declined he rode a recumbent bike every day. We could not keep up with the miles. He would sneak in more when we were not looking.
He had 19 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. He was known as PawPaw to many of their friends. There was also a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; brother C.C. Housley, Jr.; sister Carla Jane Love Bilyeu; daughter Shelley Richards King; son Anthony Lee Tiger; and one granddaughter, Hailey Housley.
Survivors are his loving wife of 39 years Sandra (Sandy); brothers Doyle Housley and wife Louetta of Sapulpa, Dale Housley and wife Brenda of Sapulpa and Clinton Housley of Sapulpa; sisters Anita Gail Carroll of Sapulpa, Carolyn Sue Wentzel of Sapulpa; daughter Barbara Nuttle and husband Bob of Okmulgee; son Michael Housley of Tulsa; daughter Donett Lay of Sapulpa; son Donald W, Housley of Tulsa; son Kevin Housley of Bristow; and daughter Reba Jolene Wenzel of Kellyville.
Don had one enemy that most of us share, he got shed of that enemy on April 4th, 2004 when he made the decision to accept Jesus as his Savior and was baptized along with his brother Doyle and several other members of his family.
We don’t give him up easily but seeing his earthly body in pain and suffering we do so willingly knowing that Jesus is waiting and new life awaits him, knowing no pain only joy in the reunion he will have with all those waiting on him. “What a Day of Rejoicing That Will Be.”