John Willis Donley

Funeral Services for John W. Donley, 87, Weatherford resident and Attorney, will be held 10:00 A.M., Friday, February 13, 2015 in the Kiesau Memorial Chapel officiated by Doyle Kinney. Burial will conclude in Clinton Cemetery under the direction of the Kiesau-Lee Funeral Home. John Willis Donley was born September 26, 1927 to William S. and Mildred (Harrison) Donley in Weatherford, OK and passed away early Tuesday morning, February 10, 2015 in his Weatherford home. John grew up on a farm west of Arapaho, OK where he attended school, graduating in 1946. He soon joined the Army in that same year and was stationed in Kyoto, Japan, with the 35th Medical Station Hospital, where he served as a medical technician. He received his discharge in 1948 and returned to Oklahoma to complete his education. He attended the University of Oklahoma and graduated with a law degree in 1954. He returned to Western Oklahoma and made his home in Clinton. He was elected for one term as Custer County Attorney in 1956. He then began a private practice in Clinton and in 1967 he moved to Weatherford where he practiced until his retirement in 2006. John shared his life with three special women: Norma Hatchell from 1948 to 1967, Marge (Morris) Lindamood from 1967 to 1975; and Brenda (Rasco) Diacon from 1983 to the present. John was active in numerous organizations throughout his life, some of which were Custer County Historical Society, Oklahoma Historical Society, Westerners, Westerners International, Custer County Bar Association, Oklahoma Bar Association, Weatherford Chamber of Commerce, Weatherford Library Board, Western Oklahoma Historical Center and Weatherford's First United Methodist Church. He was especially passionate about history, RV travel, world travel, books, golf and music. He loved life and people, and started every day with enthusiasm and a smile. He is survived by his wife, Brenda; daughters, Lynda Donley and husband, Mike Brinkley of Norman, OK, Susan Hays, of Clinton, OK, Kathy Strickler and husband, Jim, of Littleton, Colorado, Courtney Underwood and fiancé, Dave Morris, of Edmond, OK; Grandchildren, Scott Hays and Ryan Hays, both of Clinton, OK, Cody Kuester and Kyle Kuester, of Colorado, Katie Hays, of Weatherford, OK, Lily Underwood, of Edmond, OK; and his sister Carolyn Morris, of Clinton, OK. He is also survived by special caregivers who became like family, Pat Gatchel and Crystal Mars and his hospice nurse, Lynn Jackson. He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Karen Donley, brother William C. Donley, and a brother-in-law Scott Morris. The family has suggested that memorials be made to the Western Oklahoma Historical Center, 520 W. Main, Weatherford, OK or the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, www.alzfdn.org.