Orvel Ward Sherrill, born October 4, 1924, in Gage, Oklahoma, to Charles Emil Sherrill and Cora M. (Hampton) Sherrill, passed away peacefully at the age of 99 on July 19, 2024, at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa. He has now joined his beloved wife, Virginia, in heaven. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Mobley-Groesbeck Funeral Service of Sand Springs.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at 10 a.m. at The Father's House with Pastor Danny Lynchard officiating. The service may be viewed live at https://www.facebook.com/fisherbaptistchurch

Following the service, a graveside service with military honors presented by the U.S. Air Force will take place at 2:30 p.m. at Ft. Gibson National Cemetery. Viewing will be on Monday, July 29, from 12-8 p.m. at Mobley-Groesbeck Funeral Service, with family and friends gathering from 5-7 p.m.

Orvel grew up across various parts of Oklahoma, spending his younger years in Locust Grove and Yonkers, but most of his youth in Tulsa and Wagoner County. It was at a dance that he met Virginia Lee Hurd, who asked him to walk her home. Their families lived on adjoining farms. They married on July 3, 1943, when they were just 17 and 15 years old. The couple briefly lived in Silverton, CO, before settling in Sand Springs, OK, where they raised their three children: Gloria, Ward, and Barbara. They enjoyed 80 years of marriage.

As a young man, Orvel worked various jobs including on the railroad, as a farm hand, and in the mines of Silverton. He also participated in the Civilian Conservation Corps in the southwest, building roads. Orvel served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II from 1943-1946, where he trained in Louisiana and served as a tail gunner on a B-26 during numerous dangerous missions in France and Germany.

Upon his discharge, Orvel began working with Oklahoma Power and Water, which later became Public Service Company. He was a dedicated employee, retiring as a Transportation Superintendent after 40 years of service. In retirement, Orvel enjoyed caring for his farm where he raised Polled Herefords. He was also an active supporter of his children's and grandchildren's athletic events.

Orvel was a hard-working, determined, family man. He and Virginia volunteered their time to help build churches and parsonages. Over the years, he served in various capacities at the churches he attended, including Trinity Baptist Church, Broadway Baptist Church, First Baptist Church of Mannford, and The Father's House. At Broadway Baptist Church, he served as Chairman of the Deacons, and at First Baptist Church of Mannford, he helped his wife establish a park for the church children, which is named in their honor.

In addition to his professional and volunteer work, Orvel was a firefighter with the Silver City Volunteer Fire Department for 30 years, the last ten of which he served as chairman of the board.

Orvel was preceded in death by his wife of 80 years, Virginia, who passed on May 5, 2023; his parents; his sister, Mary Alice Ketcher; and his stepbrothers, Jack Byrd and Robert Byrd. He is survived by his children: Gloria Virginia Pickett, Ward Lee Sherrill and wife, Linda Bradshaw Sherrill, and Barbara Sherrill Fowler. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Daniel Pickett and wife, Abby, Russell Pickett and wife, Debbie, Brad Sherrill and wife, Stephanie, Dawn Sherrill Hamilton and husband, Nathan, A. Wayne Fowler, Jr. and wife, Donna, Sherrill Miller Davis and husband, Shane, and Don J. Fowler and wife, Tricia. His great-grandchildren include Paige Pickett, Grace Pickett, Ash Thomson, Adrienne McKnight and partner, James Chance, Kayla Meredith and husband, Dylan, Taylor Hamilton, Kennedy Hamilton, Reese Hamilton, Christian Fowler, Madi Fowler, Braden Fowler, Ethan Davis and wife, Jazmin, Ben Davis, and Brianna Fowler, and his great-great-grandchildren: Kaden McKnight, Delaney McKnight, and Jayce Chance.

Memorial contributions may be made to John 3:16 Mission, Attn: Development, 575 N. 39th W. Ave., Tulsa, OK 74127, or online at www.john316mission.org; and The Father's House, 4008 S. 137th W. Ave., Sand Springs, OK 74063, charities that were close to Orvel's heart.

Leave your memories of Orvel and view his tribute online at www.mogro.co.