Willadean Bush

Willadean Bush, a longtime resident of Durant, Oklahoma, entered the gates of Heaven on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the age of 92. She was born on Tuesday, May 16, 1933, in Altus, Oklahoma, to Carmen "Tudy" (Rice) and William David Turner.

At the age of sixteen, Willadean met a handsome farm boy named Walter Bush from Olustee, Oklahoma on the courthouse square in Altus. They fell in love quickly, but her father had a rule that she could not marry before turning eighteen and graduating from high school. Just a few days after those events, on May 25, 1951, she married Walter, beginning their lifelong journey together.

After Walter returned home from Korea and was discharged from the Army in December 1953, he and Willadean began searching for a place to call their own. In February 1954, they found a home on the hill just east of Durant, where they would live for the rest of their lives, raising their children and building a life together on the farm.

After settling in Durant, Willadean and Walter became members of the Durant First Baptist Church. Together, she and Walter made many lifelong friends through square dancing and participation in local civic organizations. Willadean also loved spending her time reading, sewing, gardening, and cooking.

While Walter operated a barbershop in Durant, Willadean devoted herself to raising their children. After their youngest child was born, she began attending college and graduated at the top of her class with a bachelor's degree from Southeastern State University. She began teaching Home Economics and Science at Durant Junior High School, where she helped many young people learn the basics of cooking, sewing, and other practical life skills.

She later earned her master's degree and pursued additional studies to become a Registered Dietitian. Willadean enjoyed working and served in several nursing homes, hospitals, and assisted living facilities throughout southeastern Oklahoma.

After the birth of her first grandchild, she became affectionately known as "Granny" to many who knew her. She made every effort to be present in the lives of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, teaching them the importance of family and showing them through her example what it meant to love and care for one another.

Willadean had a deep love of travel that lasted her entire life. She was always ready to go, no matter when or where, even if it was just for the joy of the ride. She wanted to see everything and experience all that each place had to offer. Her travels took her to many exciting places across the United States and around the world, including Israel, Egypt, Nova Scotia, Ireland, and several European countries.

Willadean was known for her joyful smile and infectious giggle that could brighten any room and bring smiles to those around her. She lived a full and vibrant life anchored by her faith in God. In many ways, she reflected the character of the woman described in Proverbs 31. She enjoyed going to church on Sunday mornings and looked forward to sharing her famous "Granny Burgers" with family each Sunday afternoon.

Her faith remained strong even in her final days, she continued sharing the message of Jesus with those around her, faithfully spreading the gospel and the hope that had guided her life.

She was preceded in death by her husband Walter Bush; parents, Carmen "Tudy" (Rice) and William David Turner, stepmother Claries Turner, stepfather Howard Simpson; sisters Shirley Hubert and Dottie Morrissey; nephew Gary Hubert; and niece Sarah Morrissey Mueller.

Survivors include her sons Jackie Bush and wife Paula of Durant, and Jimmy Bush of Durant; daughter Susan Bush Way of Durant; grandchildren Matthew Bush and wife Hagan of McKinney, Texas, Jeannie Bush Evans of Durant, Chelsea Bush Kneeland of Austin, Texas, Rachel Bush Gillispie and husband Ross of McKinney, Texas, Bonnie Way Campo and husband Michael of Durant, Oklahoma, and Sarah Bush Shammo and husband Dennis of McKinney, Texas.

She is also survived by her great-grandchildren William Bush, Zachary Bush, Cole Evans, Keaton Evans, Mireya Evans, Berkley Bush, Virginia Kneeland, Graeme Gillispie, Cooper Gillispie, Emilia Campo, Evangeline Campo, Jude Campo, and Ellison Campo; great-great-grandchild Grayson Lange; nephews David Hubert and wife Beverly of Altus, Oklahoma and Eddie Bush and wife Yvette of Olustee, Oklahoma; nieces Charlotte Bush Dickey and husband Mike of Durant, and Kimberly Bush Zabonik and husband Jeff of Lone Grove, Oklahoma; and cousin Barbara Nicholson of Bokchito, along with numerous great-nephews, great-nieces, extended family members and friends.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Erickha Boley for her exceptional kindness, love and care for Willadean, as well as the other staff at Oxford Senior Living for making her time there as comfortable as possible.

Services will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Durant or the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Gordon Funeral Home, 221 N. 3rd, Durant, Oklahoma, 580-916-9090.