TULSA, Okla. — Lewis Clayton Wamsley, 91, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, formerly a longtime resident of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and husband to Marjane Wamsley, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. Lewis dedicated his life to raising his family and serving his community.
He was born in McCune on Dec. 7, 1933, to Alice Buchanan and Raymond Fleming Wamsley, Lewis graduated from Labette County Community High School in Altamont in 1951. A talented athlete, he lettered in football, basketball and track. He earned a bachelor of science in mathematics at Kansas State Teachers College (KSTC), now Pittsburg State University, in 1955, where he was a three-year letterman in football. His commitment to military service began in college as a member of the ROTC program’s inaugural fouryear graduating class. Commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserves in 1955, Lewis retired as a major after more than 22 years of service.
Lew was employed by the Gas Service Co. in Pittsburg, Parsons and Bartlesville, Oklahoma, from 1954 to 1980, working his way from an engineer to superintendent to manager. In 1980, he began working for Phillips 66 Co. in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, in Division Orders and Laws and Regulations, finally retiring in 1996.
While attending KSTC on a football scholarship, “Big Lew” first noticed Marjane Lou Lawlis, an attractive young freshman, through the window of her dorm room after a pre-season practice. Scruffy from the field but determined, he convinced a friend to arrange a blind date. Clean-shaven and charming by the time of the date, Lewis won her heart and the two were married in August 1954. In 2024, they celebrated an extraordinary milestone: Their 70th wedding anniversary. Together, Lew and Marjane raised four children, to whom they devoted their hearts and energy.
Lewis gave back to the community in countless ways. He volunteered with the Bartlesville Kiwanis and Rotary clubs and served as commander of the American Legion in 1972. He helped coach his son’s Little League baseball teams and helped found and coach the Bartlesville Girls Blazer softball program, later earning him a place in the Bartlesville Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015. He and his sister co-founded a Christmas tree farm, creating beautiful memories not only for his family but also for the people of Southeast Kansas and Northeast Oklahoma. A man of many talents, there was rarely a problem Lew couldn’t resolve. From home repairs to building outdoor decks to creating lovely woodworking pieces, Lew put his problem-solving skills to good use. A lover of music, he supported Marjane’s leadership of the Bartlesville Ad Lib Singers by managing logistics, handling technical needs and lending his bass voice to the group. Even in his final years, Lew was always eager to dance the jitterbug or polka at the sound of lively music! But it was with his children and grandchildren that Grandpa was most intentional. He loved camping, boating and hunting with his children and rarely missed any of his kids’ or grandkids’ sporting events or activities, as it was important for him to show he cared. It was his wife and family that brought Lew his greatest pride and joy and where his lasting impact will be most felt.
He is survived by his wife, Marjane Lou Lawlis Wamsley, of Tulsa, Oklahoma (formerly Bartlesville, Oklahoma); children, Rodney Wamsley of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Krista Peters (Mike) of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Kindra Ota (Kevin) of Katy, Texas; grandchildren, Sarah Banfield of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Jeff Wamsley (Alejandra) of Houston, Texas, Kurtis Peters (Kristen) of Flower Mound, Texas, Karson Ota of New York, New York, Kieryn Ota of Costa Mesa, California, and Kaleb Peters of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and eight great-grandchildren.
Lewis was preceded in death by his parents, Alice Buchanan Wamsley and Raymond Fleming Wamsley; a son, Rick Kendal Wamsley; a daughter-in-law, Suzanna Lynn Dixon Wamsley; and two sisters, Caroline (Callie) Wamsley and Raeme Lee Wamsley Mullen.
A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 10, at Memorial Park Cemetery in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, followed by a memorial service at noon at First Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends following the service.
The family suggests memorials to First Presbyterian Church of Bartlesville.
