Wilbur Lee Lair

Long time Oklahoma City resident, Wilbur Lair, passed away on October 3, 2025. Wilbur was born on a farm near Union City on March 11th, 1927, the sixth of eight children born to Dennis and Ethel Lair. He married Evelyn Mae Morrison on July 3rd, 1947. Wilbur and Evelyn adopted two children, Doug and Shelly. Wilbur was a devout Christian and spent many years as a member of Memorial Christian Church and later Forest Hills Christian Church. Wilbur served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was stationed in Germany, obtained the rank of corporal and was a member of the Seventh Army Skeet Team. After returning from his military service, Wilbur had a long career with Oklahoma Gas & Electric, retiring as a Multi-crew Foreman. He worked hard for many years, from helping his family scratch out an existence during the Great Depression, to running line repair and construction crews in Tornado Alley. When the phone rang in the middle of the night, it was time to call a crew and get the power back on. He was often assigned the more complicated line work jobs and his crews had a reputation for producing quality work in a timely fashion. Ice storms in the winter and thunderstorms in the spring meant long hours for the folks that turn the lights back on. Wilbur was a Ford man. He always drove a Ford. After he retired from OG&E, he worked for several years transporting cars for Fred Jones Ford. This was followed by a stint helping out with his daughter's photography business. Wilbur and Shelly's work is in many Mustang homes in the form of plaques and pictures documenting youth sports in the community. Service defined Wilbur's life. He was always active in his children's activities from coaching baseball and softball to serving as a Scout leader. He was a 32nd degree Mason, a Shriner and a member of India Temple's Director's Staff. Even with all of Wilbur's commitments to others, he still knew how to have fun. A highlight of the year was quail season. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He spent many fall days bird hunting with his beloved dogs, Whitey and Whisky. He made many good memories with his best buddy Don Sullivan, his brother Tommy and the boys from Mustang and Union City. Many fun times were had at Lake Eufaula, boating, water skiing and fishing with the Sullivans and the Callahans. In his later years, he enjoyed losing a game of Trouble to his granddaughter Ali and taking care of his beloved pugs Toby and Booker. It should also be mentioned that he loved a good chew of tobacco. Wilbur was especially proud of three things, his military service, his career with OG&E and most of all his marriage to his dear wife Evelyn. Their marriage lasted sixty-six years until her death in 2013. Now, they are together again. Wilbur is survived by his son, Doug and wife Gael, his granddaughter Alison and daughter Shelly Lair Holinsworth. Thanks goes out to all the friends and family that enriched his life especially the Williams and Owen families and dear friends the Sullivans, Heimers, Heydmans and Callahans. A memorial service will be held at 3:30 pm on October 9th at The Empowered Church in Mustang, Oklahoma, followed by a graveside service in Union City. Funeral arrangements are through https://www.mcneilsfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to https://www.shrinerschildrens.org or the charity of your choice.