In God We Trust FREE U.S. Postage Paid Hydro, OK Permit #3 Zip Code 73048 BOXHOLDER February 7-13, 2018 • 10040 Hwy 54 • Weatherford • (580) 772-5939 • email: [email protected] • www.westokweekly.com • Vol. 4 No. 6 Burn ban in place to combat increasing wildfire occurrence Chase Wright Staff Writer A burn ban is in effect in western Oklahoma. On January 30th, KFOR News Channel 4 reported that 40 counties are under a governor’s burn ban, issued by Governor Mary Fallin, until February 16th. Also, four counties in eastern Oklahoma are under county commissioner-issued bans. Burn bans aren’t taken lightly, and it’s up to residents living in these counties to help ensure that all regulations are followed during a ban. But what is a burn ban? Burn bans are, simply, a ban on burning. However, there are some nuances between the two types of burn bans and the circumstances they cover. The Oklahoma Forestry Services (OFS) has very detailed information on burn bans on their website, along with a FAQ section and an up-to-date map of burn ban counties. The OFS was established to protect “trees and forests [that] provide clean air…water, wildlife habitat, and… [recreation].” They’re dedicated to conserving, managing, and protecting the forests of Oklahoma, and they are responsible for identifying fire threats and providing (See Burn Ban, Page 4) Basetkball playoffs begin for local schools Mike Hammett Wright Wradio Sports Director Postseason play begins this week in high school basketball for the Class A and B schools around the state. Locally, Thomas will open district play in Class A this week in Burns Flat-Dill City. The Thomas girls are the top- seed in the district and will play in the championship game on Saturday against either Burns Flat-Dill City or Snyder. Thomas is 13-7 on the year after losing at Fairview 52-45 and winning over Hinton 48-35 last week. On the boys side, Thomas will open district play Friday against Snyder Safina Banuelos/WW with an 8pm tip-off. If Thomas wins, they will play Burns Danica Suderman, a senior at WHS shows a goat at the FFA Livestock show, assisting is freshman Rylan Flat-Dill City in Saturday's championship game, with both Smith and senior Anna Iefrate. (See Playoffs, Page 6) February 7-13, 2018 • WestOK Weekly • Page 2 Phillip Ryan Villines dominoes and rook. Vernon was born November 5, 1927, in He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: Corn, Oklahoma, to H.B.R. and Maggie Funeral services for Phillip George Robert Shephard, Delmar "Buck" Shephard, and (Reimer) Flaming, and passed away Monday, January 29, Ryan Villines, 57 year-old Frank Shephard, Jr.; and sister Jo Ann Barrick. 2018, in Clinton. Weatherford, Oklahoma He is survived by his wife Shirley of the home; two sons: Vernon was raised in Corn, going to Corn high school, and resident, was held Friday, Billy Shephard of Arapaho and Dwight Shephard and wife Corn Bible Acadamy. He later went to North West Bible February 2, 2018, at 10:00 Sharon of Burns Flat. College in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He married Lorene A.M. in “The Chapel” of He is also survived by three grandchildren: Brooke Reimer August 12, 1947, in Corn. Lockstone Funeral Home Hickok, Crystal Cline and husband Jeff and Justin Vernon was a member of the 1st Christian Church in with Earl Stephenson Shephard and wife Susan; 11 great-grandchildren, Hailey Clinton, and was a long time member of the Corn Bible officiating. Burial followed in Cline, Kaiden Cline, Pyler Cline, Natilie Shephard, Ezra Academy Alumni. Greenwood Cemetery under Shephard, Gavyn Shephard, Lincoln Shephard, Craig Cline, Vernon worked as a farmer, a mason, a carpenter, and a the direction of Lockstone Funeral Home. Jaden Cline, Ashley Cline and McKenzie Cline. computer programmer, among many other things. He loved Phillip was born June 5, 1960, in Norman, Oklahoma to The family has suggested those wanting to give a memorial wood working, and teaching Sunday School. Douglas Ray “Doug” and Sammie (Davis) Villines and contribution may do so to the Alzheimer's Association, He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, 5 passed away, Monday, January 29, 2018, at Weatherford Oklahoma Chapter, Inc., Central Oklahoma Regional brothers, and 5 sisters. Living Center. Phillip lived most of his life with his maternal Center, 3555 NW 58th Street, Suite 220, Oklahoma City, He is survived by his daughters: Gale Misner of Clinton, grandmother Gladys “Mamma” (Elledge) Davis in Wayne, OK 73112. and Laurel Howard and her husband Vern "Dub" Haskell of Oklahoma and later in Midwest City, Oklahoma. He was Texas; a son Dwayne Flaming of Arboles Colorado; and his always a most happy individual, and brought many smiles brother Leonard "Butch" Flaming of Artesia New Mexico. and love to all he came in contact with. Phillip loved music Virginia Kragh Lander and dancing. He loved to be outside with Mamma, and loved Memorial services for John David White Eagle, Sr. to do random acts of kindness toward her. Virginia (Kragh) Lander, Phillip moved to Weatherford, Oklahoma with his sister, 96-year-old Weatherford, Funeral services for John David White Eagle, Sr., 75, of Melanie Davis and husband, Burl after Mamma could Oklahoma resident, were held Hammon, were held 11:00 A.M., Monday, February 5, 2018 no longer care for him. Phillip lived his final days at Monday, February 5, 2018, at the Hammon High School Auditorium, with Rev. Mona Weatherford Living Center, where he received very good 10:00 A.M. at Southwestern Bearshield and Rev. Gerald Panana officiating, and under care. Christian Church with the direction of the Kiesau-Lee Funeral Home. Burial will Phillip is survived by his mother Sammie Villines of Doyal Warren officiating. follow in the Hammon Indian Cemetery. A traditional all Weatherford, Oklahoma; three brothers: Dan Villines Burial followed at 2:00 P.M. night wake will be Sunday, starting at 7:00 P.M. and wife Kay of Weatherford, Oklahoma, Ben Villines in Waynoka Municipal John was born March 26, 1942 in Watonga to Elmer and wife Terry, and Stephen Villines and wife Danielle all Cemetery in Waynoka, and Minerva (Lefthand) White Eagle, and passed away of Weatherford, Oklahoma; one sister Melanie Davis and Oklahoma under the direction Wednesday, January 31, 2018, in Oklahoma City. husband Burl; maternal uncle Paul and Norma Davis of of Lockstone Funeral Home. John was raised in Canton and graduated high school there. Maysville, Oklahoma; and numerous nieces and nephews. Virginia was born November 20, 1921, in Sherman He was a member of the Canton Indian Baptist Church. He He was preceded in death by dad Doug Villines; maternal Community, Oklahoma to Clifford Eugene and Leta Bessie loved to do beadwork, watch T.V., and being around his grandparents: Colbert and Gladys Davis; and paternal (Smith) Kragh and passed away Wednesday, January 31, grandkids and family. grandparents: Fred and Jeffie (Pirtle) Villines. 2018, in Brookdale of Weatherford. In 1987 he married his sweetheart, Louise Fingernail. And….we thank thee so much dear Father God, for your Virginia was raised and attended school in Sherman He is survived by his wife, Louis, of the home; a sister, loving kindness in letting us keep him and love him, the Community, south of Waynoka, and graduated from Ella Akeen of Gracemont; a bother Tom Lefthand of Taos, time he was in our midst. Phillip Ryan Villines was a ‘Ray Waynoka High School in 1939. She married Wayne Bouma New Mexico; and 23 grandkids. of Sunshine’ that touched many ‘lives and hearts’, with and made their home in Amarillo, Texas. Later moved to “Hope…Faith…and Love.” south of Waynoka to raise her family and managed nursing Frances Hamilton homes in the area. Virginia married Roberts Lander and Funeral services for Frances Billy Mack Shephard they made their home in Wakeeny, Kansas, where she also (Epperly) Hamilton, 92 managed nursing homes. After Roberts passed away she year-old Hydro, Oklahoma Funeral services for Billy Mack Shephard, 85, Arapaho moved to Weatherford to be near family in 2005. Virginia resident, were held Saturday, resident, were held 10:00 A.M., Friday, February 2, 2018, enjoyed gardening, cooking, quilting, sewing and spending February 3, 2018, 10 A.M. in in the Kiesau Memorial Chapel, officiated by his son, Rev. time with family and friends. the First United Methodist Dwight Shephard and Sandy Shepherd and Pastor Wendell Virginia is survived by two daughters: Ayn Lamke Church in Hydro with Ted Folsom. Burial concluded in the Arapaho Cemetery under and husband Bud of Weatherford, Oklahoma and Diann Uhlig officiating. Burial the direction of the Kiesau-Lee Funeral Home. Benson and husband Rusty of Ponca City, Oklahoma; one followed in Hydro Masonic Billy Mack Shephard was born September 17, 1931, step-daughter Robin Salzberg-Greene and husband Bill of Cemetery under the direction to Frank and lzett (Giles) Shephard on the family farm Richmond, Virginia; one step-son in-law Tom Krigas of of Lockstone Funeral Home. Northwest of Arapaho, OK and passed away Monday, Inverness, Illinois; two sisters: Doris Curtis of Collierville, Frances was born December January 29, 2018, in the Cordell Christian Home in Cordell, Tennessee, and Donna Wit of Dallas, Texas; grandchildren: 3, 1925, in Hydro, Oklahoma, to William “Bill” and OK. Michael Lamke, Rebecca Sas, Candace Villarruel, Jason Elverda (Cox) Epperly and passed away Tuesday, Mr. Shephard was raised in Arapaho and graduated from Krigas, Steve Krigas, Lauren Kelleher, Lander Salzberg, January 30, 2018, at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City, Arapaho School in 1950.