Willie Lee Ford Sr.

Willie Lee Ford Sr. was born to Peggy (Morris) Ford on December 5, 1965, in Clinton, Oklahoma. At the age of 59, Willie was called home on March 22, 2025. Willie, also known as Darren, was raised in Clinton, where he attended public schools. In his younger years, he was an astonishing athlete. From track and field to football and basketball, he could slam dunk a basketball in the seventh grade. Willie could do it all. He was a true leader among his peers. However, his true love and passion was art.

Visitation will be Wednesday, April 9, 2025, from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm, at the Kiesau-Lee Funeral Home, 2500 W. Modelle Ave., Clinton, OK 73601.

A Celebration of Willie’s life will be held Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 11 am, at the Bethany Baptist Church, 100 E. Locust Ave., Clinton, OK 73601. Burial will follow at the Clinton Cemetery.

Darren was an unbelievably gifted visual artist, with a keen eye for creating magnificent portraits. His talent was a great inspiration to others. As a child, Willie would paint and color anything he could get his hands on. You could say he was a bit of a mama’s boy, as he hardly ever got into trouble because of it. Willie loved his mother dearly. He was a quiet, introverted person but enjoyed being around his siblings and family, most importantly his children and grandchildren.

Willie is preceded in death by his mother, Peggy Ford; first wife, Barbara Ford; brother, Tommy Ford; sister, Earline Ford; grandparents, Mollie and Alfred Washington; and grandchild, Zavier.

Willie leaves to cherish his memory, four adoring children: Son, Willie Lee Ford Jr.; daughters Chasity Ann Thompson, Gracie LeeAnn Ford, Faith Nevaeh Ford, along with three stepchildren- Jestyn, Gabriella, and Ayden. He is also survived by his 11 beautiful grandchildren, Willie Lee III, Adrianna, Payton, Ryder, Trace, Araceli, Tavi, Rose, Zaire, Kingston, and Zaylon. His brothers, Frank Ford and wife Valetta of OKC, and Dewayne “Papa” Ford and wife Pamela of Clinton, OK.; Sisters, Donnie Ethel Ford-Williams and husband James of Antioch, CA, and Brenda Delarose and husband Donnie of Stockton, CA. In addition, he leaves behind aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and a host of family and friends.

Willie will be missed dearly.

Services are in care of Kiesau-Lee Funeral Home.