Wilburn Newton Henry

Wilburn Newton Henry, 98, former longtime Seminole resident, died Thursday, July 30, 2015 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma where he had been living for the past few years. Wilburn was born April 8, 1917 in Wayne, Oklahoma to Elisha Newton and Julia (Campbell) Henry. Wilburn grew up in Wayne, Oklahoma and graduated from Wayne High School. Wilburn was the former owner of Henry’s Home Furnishings in Seminole, Oklahoma and operated the business for 32 years. He was very active in the civic affairs of Seminole, was a former member of the Seminole Lions Club and was a former member of the First Baptist Church in Seminole. Wilburn loved to play golf and travel, so much that after his retirement from the furniture business he became a travel agent and continued his love of traveling. He was a very patriotic person who loved and took care of his family. Wilburn was a veteran and proudly served during World War II in the U.S. Army Air Corp (Now U.S. Air Force) as a First Lieutenant from September 29, 1942 to October 31, 1945. He piloted a heavy bomber in the 376th bombardment group and the 514th Bombardment Squadron. He flew 31 missions in the fall and winter of 1944, covering virtually every part of the European Theatre. Wilburn is survived by his son Wilburn Newton Henry, Jr. of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and his daughter, Gloria Crawford of Seminole, Oklahoma, his step sons, Rick Withrow and his wife Devonna of Seminole, Oklahoma and Scott Ridgeway and his wife Kathy of Gunnison, Colorado. He is also survived by his brother James L. Henry and his wife Margaret of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, his grandchildren; Chris Wood and his wife Dana of Claremore, Oklahoma, Jennifer Caresia and her husband Travis of Choctaw, Oklahoma, Shawn Henry of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Chanel Henry of Austin, Texas, his great grandchildren; Alex Wood, Olivia Wood, Abbie Caresia, Tyler Caresia, Nate Henry and Kylee Henry, a sisters-in-law Phoebe Wetzel and her husband Jim of Edmond, Oklahoma and Susan Jordan and her husband Claude of Shawnee, Oklahoma and a brother-in-law, Mark Streetman and his wife Pam of Norman, Oklahoma. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents, his father and mother-in-law, Bunk and Bessie Lasiter his first wife Margie and mother of his children in 1989 after 51 years together, his second wife Marion Streetman Henry who died in 2015, and his siblings, Berford Henry, Houston Henry, Sally Ellis and Wynona White. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, August 4, 2015 at the First Baptist Church in Seminole, Oklahoma with Russell Vicars officiating. Burial will follow with military honors and a tribute by the Patriot Guard Riders of Oklahoma at Maple Grove Cemetery. Casket bearers will be Chris Wood, Travis Caresia, Alex Wood, Shawn Henry, Nate Henry, Rick Withrow, Scott Ridgeway, Don Robinson and Doyle Nix. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma. Funeral Information: August 4, 2015, 2:00 PM First Baptist Church located at 420 Reid Street, Seminole, OK 74868