Lewis Clayton Wamsley

Lewis Clayton Wamsley of Tulsa, OK, formerly a longtime resident of Bartlesville, OK, and husband to Marjane Wamsley, passed away at age 91 on December 21, 2024. Lewis dedicated his life to raising his family and serving his community. Born in McCune, Kansas, on December 7, 1933, to Alice Buchanan Wamsley and Raymond Fleming Wamsley, Lewis graduated from Labette County Community High School in Altamont, KS, in 1951. A talented athlete, he lettered in football, basketball, and track. He went on to earn a BS in Mathematics at Kansas State Teachers College (KSTC), now Pittsburgh State University, in 1955, where he was a 3-year letterman in football. His commitment to military service began in college as a member of the ROTC program’s inaugural four-year 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 Company in Pittsburgh, KS; Parsons, KS; and Bartlesville, OK, from 1954 to 1980, working his way from an Engineer to Superintendent to Manager. In 1980, he began working for Phillips 66 Company in Bartlesville, OK, in Division Orders and Laws & 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 of 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, OK (formerly Bartlesville, OK); children, Rodney Wamsley of Bartlesville, OK; Krista Peters (Mike) of Tulsa, OK; Kindra Ota (Kevin) of Katy, TX; grandchildren, Sarah Banfield of Stillwater, OK; Jeff Wamsley (Alejandra) of Houston, TX; Kurtis Peters (Kristen) of Flower Mound, TX; Karson Ota of New York, NY; Kieryn Ota of Costa Mesa, CA; Kaleb Peters of Tulsa, OK; and 8 great-grandchildren. Lewis is predeceased by his parents, Alice Buchanan Wamsley and Raymond Fleming Wamsley; son, Rick Kendal Wamsley; daughter-in-law, Suzanna Lynn Dixon Wamsley; sister Caroline (Callie) Wamsley; and sister, Raeme Lee Wamsley Mullen. In lieu of flowers, please give donations to First Presbyterian Church of Bartlesville.

Lewis Clayton Wamsley

December 7, 1933 - December 21, 2024