Wilma Winterbower

1931 - 2026

 Wilma Jean Winterbower

Long-Time Sapulpa resident:

Wilma Jean Winterbower who was born on December 14, 1931, went peacefully to heaven on March 8, 2026, surrounded by family.  Wilma was born on Heywood Hill East of Sapulpa, the daughter of Joshua Clifford Seay and Gertrude Pauline Meyers Seay.  She grew up on the family farm on Hickory Hill and Frontier Roads.  At 17 while working in a café in downtown Sapulpa she fell in love with and married, the late Samuel Johnson Grounds (Yuchi/Seminole).  Sam had returned from World War II as an Army veteran and gained an education through the GI bill.  As there were no teaching jobs in his field at the time, he became a boilermaker, which led them away from Sapulpa to Arkansas for a spell and Cushing, Oklahoma, before returning to Tulsa and Sapulpa.

Wilma and Sam had five children, Sammy, Jr., Larry Dale, Donald Wayne, Richard Alan and Janet Rochelle.  Wilma and Sam divorced in 1963.  From that time on she raised her five children by herself.  Wilma held various jobs after raising her children and frequently spoke of her time in the security office at Oral Roberts University.  Her employment there helped two of her children receive higher education at ORU, while her other children received their education at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in Miami and Oklahoma State University.  Wilma lost her son Sammy, a Viet Nam veteran, in a motorcycle accident, and she will be buried next to him at Green Hill Cemetery.  

Wilma was a skilled seamstress and loved to do home remodeling/decorating projects. She enjoyed spending time with family and working in her garden.  She was a prayer warrior and provided her children with an education grounded in her Christian beliefs.   Through her church activities, Wilma made many friends and held leadership positions in the various churches she attended.  She was a teacher, mentor and guide to many who received her loving support and spiritual guidance.  

Wilma had not intended to remarry, but in midlife, she met the late Stanley T. Winterbower, a WWII Navy veteran, through her church.  Wilma and Stanley were married for 28 years.  Wilma had many loving and supportive friends who reflected her loving and generous heart.  Wilma’s proudest legacy is her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  

She is survived by her 4 living children and their spouses, 7 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren, and her stepdaughter Janice Drummond from her marriage to Stanley. Preceded by grandson, Joey Cordray.

 

A Celebration of Life/Memorial Service will be led by Pastor Phil Taylor in the Chapel at Traditions Funeral Home in Kellyville, on Thursday March 12, 2026, at 10 AM.

Arrangements are under the direction of Traditions Funeral & Cremation Services, 35 S Main, Kellyville, OK., 74039. 918-247-7373.