W.A. (Okie) Gilbert a loving father, grandfather and friend passed away from this earthly world on Saturday June 20, 2020 in Durant, Oklahoma at the age of 86. He was born to Ralph and Juanita Gilbert on Dec. 7, 1933. 
W.A. (Okie) was many things, he started out his career in the United States Army in 1956. He married Joyce Ann Thomas on June 20, 1958 and they were married for 26 years and had two wonderful children. W.A. worked for 67 years in the pipeline union traveling all over the world. He was a welder and inspector for Local 798. He loved to fish, especially going catfishing. He loved frying up the fish for his family to enjoy eating his delicious catfish.
W.A. (Okie) Gilbert is survived by his son, Murray Gilbert and wife Misty of Mead, Okla.; daughter, Denita Bennett of Oklahoma City, Okla.; grandchildren: Corey Gilbert and wife Erica of Durant, Okla., Jake Bennett of Norman, Okla., Allee Bennett of Oklahoma City, Okla.; great-granddaughter, Tatum Gilbert of Durant, Okla. 
W.A. (Okie) is preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Juanita Gilbert. Brother, Jerry Lee Gilbert. Grandson Brandon Gilbert. Mother of his children, Joyce Ann Gilbert.
Services for W.A. (Okie) Gilbert will be 10 a.m., Tuesday June 23, 2020, at Calvary Baptist in Durant, Okla. with Bro. Darrell Bunch officiating. Following will be internment at Highland Cemetery in Durant, Oklahoma with Jake Bennett, Corey Gilbert, Chad Gilbert, Andrew Gilbert, Greg Gilbert and Kyle Gilbert serving as pallbearers, Honorary Pallbearers are James Thomas, Jim Corely.
Services are under the direction of Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home in Durant, Oklahoma. www.holmescoffeymurray.com