Weldon Hays Carter, longtime Cushing resident, passed away on Saturday, February 15, 2014 in Edmond at the age of 92 years.
The son of the late James Reed Carter and Nellie Jane Turner Carter, Hays was born on November 3, 1921 in Cushman, Arkansas. He moved to Cushing as a young child and graduated from Cushing High School in 1939.
Hays was united in marriage to Olga Bernice Stillwell on April 18, 1942 in Cushing. To this union two daughters, Sharon and Becky, were born. The couple resided in Cushing while Hays worked for Deep Rock & Kerr-McGee refineries; upon retiring from Kerr-McGee in 1972, the couple relocated to West Virginia and Hays worked for Quaker State refinery. After retiring from Quaker State refinery, the couple moved to Wynnewood, Oklahoma where Hays again worked for Kerr-McGee until his retirement in 1984 at which time they moved back to Cushing.
Hays was on the first Boy Scout Jamboree in 1937 and had attained rank as an Eagle Scout. He served in the United States Air Corp and had been a 32nd Degree Mason for over 50 years.
Hays was a member of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He was an avid outdoorsman; he enjoyed gardening, flowers and bird watching. Hays especially loved spending time with his family; he was known as “bapa” to his grandkids and great-grandkids.
Survivors include his wife of almost 72 years, Bernice, of the home; two daughters, Sharon Kaye Seeliger and her husband, Tom, of Aransas Pass, Texas and Becky Sue Day and her husband, V. Gene, of Stillwater, Oklahoma; five grandchildren, Geannei Butler and her husband, Steve, Shelly Crynes and her husband, David, Anthony Seeliger and his wife, Kay, Michael Aaron Day and his wife, Carolina and O. Tyson Seeliger and his wife, Margaret; nine great-grandchildren, Madison Crynes, Darby Crynes, Andrea Day, Austin Day, Dylan Day, Justin Day, Sarah Seeliger, Carter Seeliger and Anabelle Seeliger; one great-grandson on the way and many other relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents, Hays was preceded in death by six brothers and sisters, Veloice Corey, M. Turner Carter, Floy Mays, Faye Sealey, Ray Carter and infant brother, Justin Carter.
Graveside services will be Tuesday, February 18, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. in the Fairlawn Cemetery with Dr. Forrest Ladd officiating.
Serving as honorary Casketbearers will be Tom Seeliger and V. Gene Day. Serving as Casketbearers will be Anthony Seeliger, Michael Day, Tyson Seeliger, David Crynes, Madison Crynes and Ralph Summers.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice or to the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 300 E. Moses, Cushing.
You may share your condolences with the Carter family at www.davisfh.net.
Services are under the direction of the Davis Funeral Home.
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