Graveside services for Shirley E. Wilson, 98, of Chickasha, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 14, 2020 at Fairlawn Cemetery in Chickasha, Oklahoma with Kim Hayes officiating. There will be no public viewing.
Shirley E. Wilson was born on April 5, 1922, in Blue Jacket, Oklahoma, the daughter of Fred Holden and Elizabeth Kimble Holden. She died Sunday, August 9, 2020, in Chickasha, OK. Shirley grew up in Blue Jacket, OK and graduated from Blue J High School in 1940.
Thereafter, she attended the Northeastern Oklahoma Junior College in Miami, OK. After graduating, she remained in Miami, OK where she worked at the British Flying School during the height of World War II until its conclusion and the closure of the base. She often recounted tales of the “crazy, British pilots,” and the many unsolicited offers she received for rides in their plane. Upon closure of the base, she worked for the General Adjustment Bureau in Miami, OK, and was later transferred to its Chickasha, OK office in 1949.
In Chickasha, she met Clay Wilson, Jr. at the once lauded, but now notorious, Wandora Bar. They were married on June 16, 1956, at the Algiers Methodist Church in New Orleans, LA. Together, she, Clay, and Clay Wilson, Sr. began Nineteenth Seed Company, specializing in erosion control. The company evolved into the largest highway and heavy road construction company in the Southwest, at the time, and was responsible for such projects as the Dallas Interchange and Keystone Expressway, among others. Together, Clay and Shirley also bought land East and South of Chickasha, creating the 21 Ranch, where they imported Charolais cattle from France. These cattle and their offspring eventually earned 21 Ranch the Challenge Trophy, awarded to the best herd in the United States.
When she and Clay retired from Nineteenth Seed, and after Clay’s passing, she devoted most of her time to helping raise four grandchildren and keeping the family “in check,” which anyone reading this who knew her will understand its meaning. She was also an active, 60 plus year member of Epworth United Methodist Church where she was active in the Wedding Ring Sunday School Class. She also spent countless hours visiting friends in the local nursing homes and was always there if you needed her. For good or bad. She will be missed, along with her peanut brittle and sand plum jelly. As she liked to say, “keep the faith”.
Shirley was preceded in death by both parents, grandparents, her bothers Larry Holden and Tyndall Holden, and her husband, Clay Wilson, Jr.
Survivors include her children, Nina Clay Wilson, Lisa Wilson Hart and husband, Rick, all of Chickasha, OK; grandchildren, Lauren Wilson-McGeough of OKC, OK, Maggie Wilson of Norman, OK, Daniel Hart of Norman, OK, Amelia Clay Hart of NYC, NY; sister in law, Sharon Holden of Guthrie, OK; three nephews, Greg Holden of Guthrie, OK, Larry Holden, Jr. and wife Joyce of Guthrie, OK, Clay S. Wilson and wife Julie, of Grand Rapids, MI; 3 nieces, Skoshi Heron and husband Mike of Edmond, OK, Karen Meador (Don) of San Marcos, TX, Janet Wilson of San Bernadino, CA; and numerous great nieces and nephews. Extended family also includes Dr. Nancy W. Dever, now deceased, and her daughters, Megan Dever and Allison Sales, along with their families, and Jennifer Lindamood and family, all of Chickasha, OK.
Memorials may be made to Epworth United Methodist Church, 420 W. Iowa Ave., Chickasha, OK 73018 and Friends Fur Change, 509 Fieldcrest Drive, Chickasha, OK 73018.
Services are under the direction of Ferguson Funeral Home and it is requested that masks be worn by friends and family in attendance.