Jesse Stanfill

Jesse Ray Stanfill was born August 4, 1921 to Bertha Golden Smith and L.W. Stanfill in Drakes Creek, Arkansas. He was the youngest of 5 children.

He departed this life in Fayetteville, Arkansas on March 12, 2014 after living a long life of 92 years, 7 months and 8 days.

He married his high school sweetheart, Dena Bea Slate on May 21, 1941. He worked with his father in a grocery store until serving in WWII. He was stationed in the Philippines and Japan, serving with Japanese occupation forces. Upon his return, he and his father bought the old flour mill in Westville and opened Stanfill Milling Company. He served his community well, helping organize the Westville Community Club which brought the Westville Medical Center to Westville. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Westville for over 60 years.

He and his wife have 3 children: Monaray Noah and husband Jamie, Dena Ann Melton and husband Ray, James Rodney Stanfill and wife Dana. He was blessed to have his 3 children standing at his side when he joined Jesus.

Ray enjoyed life, always sharing his smile and giving his best. He will be remembered by the lives he touched and his survivors.

He leaves to mourn his passing, his wife of 73 years, his 3 children and their spouses, 5 grandsons: Kevin Melton and wife Hollie of Pasadena, TX, James Ray Stanfill and wife Vanessa of Watts, OK, Ryan Noah of Tulsa, OK, Jason Stanfill of Broken Arrow, OK and Casey Melton of Galveston, TX.

He also leaves behind 3 great granddaughters: Kinleigh and Kinedi Melton, Riley Stanfill, 1 great grandson: Jaxon Stanfill and a sister: Audrey Caffego of Knoxville, TN.

He was very blessed to be healthy and happy to the very end and could be seen driving around Westville in his little grey truck with his beloved border collie Max who will also miss him very much.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the Westville School General Fund.

Memorial services at 11 am on Monday, March 17, 2014 at the First Baptist Church of Westville with Paul Young officiating under the direction of Roberts Hart Funeral Home, Westville, OK.