Obituary for William Hargraves

Willy Hargraves

November 28, 1977 – August 19, 2022

William Riley Hargraves, “Willy”, age 44, left this life on August 19, 2022. Public visitation will be from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Thursday, August 25, 2022 at Trout Funeral Home & Crematory. A Funeral Ceremony will be held at 1:00 PM, Friday, August 26, 2022, at the Ponca City School Concert Hall, Ponca City, OK. Those unable to attend the Funeral Ceremony, may attend virtually on the Trout Funeral Home website, www.troutfuneralhome.com and click on the live-stream or toolbar icon on the top right corner after 1:45 PM. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK 74601.

Willy was born November 28, 1977, in Ponca City, Oklahoma to William Don and Barbara Hargraves. He attended Burbank Schools through the 8th grade and then transferred to Shidler High School where he graduated in the class of 1996. While attending High School, he began his fire career with the Osage Cove Fire Department as a volunteer fireman. Upon completion of High School, he attended the Oklahoma State University Fire Program and has remained active serving his community as Fire Chief, since that time.

In 1998, Willy started working at the Osage County Sheriff’s Office as a jailer. He attended the C.L.E.E.T. Law Enforcement Academy and graduated in 2000. This began his career as a Field Deputy with Osage County. Under the leadership of Sheriff Russell Cottle, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant then as Field Lieutenant under Sheriff Wes Penland. Later, Sheriff Ty Koch, promoted him to Investigator where he remained until 2010. He left the Sheriff’s Office for a brief period returning a few years later. During that time, he served the Ponca City Police Department where he worked 2 years. After the retirement of his biggest mentor, Charlie Cartwright, he went back home to Osage County Sheriff’s Office and became the Jail Captain under Sheriff Eddie Virden. In October 2021, he was promoted to the Captain of Investigations where he continued to serve the citizens of Osage County.

Willy and Emily were united in marriage on October 12, 2016, in Branson, Missouri. It was the beginning of the “Fabulous Five”. The union of Willy and Emily also brought three amazing children (Benjamin Riley Hargraves, Gracie Jade Hargraves, and Presley Shea Perrier) to the family. Although Willy had many people that knew him as family, Emily, Ben, Gracie, and Presley were the light of his life. His influence on them was so strong, he will live on through them as they continue through life.

There are so many people blessed to have been part of his life including his wife, mother, father, brothers, sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, friends, coworkers, and everyone else that had the chance to meet him.

Willy is survived by his wife Emily Hargraves of the home, parents Barbara and William “Donnie” Hargraves of Burbank, OK, children Ben Hargraves, Gracie Hargraves, and Presley Perrier of Burbank, OK, sister Donna Brakey of Lodi, California, sister Toni Hargraves of Las Vegas, NV, sister Kynda Darnell of Claremore, OK, brother Keith Lawson of Ponca City, OK, brother-in-law Brett Coe and wife Lindsey of Bartlesville, OK, and father-in-law Donnie Coe of Pawhuska, OK.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Francis and Anna Mae Thornton of Ponca City, OK, paternal grandparents Riley and Jessie Hargraves of Burbank, OK, brother Kevin Lawson of Ponca City, OK, nephew Jason Lawson of Ponca City, OK, mother-in-law Pam Coe of Shidler, OK, and brother-in-law Steve Darnell of Claremore, OK.

Like Willy’s influence on others, his list of joys and hobbies were endless. He enjoyed building fire trucks, scuba diving, riding his Harley Davidson Motorcycle, and being at the lake with family and friends. Everyone that knew Willy, knew he loved everything that was gun related. He took that love to the extreme and became a C.L.E.E.T. Firearms Instructor which is a very high honor to hold. He was responsible for teaching many new law enforcement officers across the State of Oklahoma how to save their lives and the lives of others. Willy lived his life to protect all of us here on earth. Even though it is time for him to rest and let us take it from here, I know he will be helping God in Heaven keep order. Close your eyes and imagine God and Willy standing at the Pearly Gates. Willy saying, “Is the line ready?” and God saying “The line is ready. Welcome to my Kingdom.”

Virtual Tribute Book Signing
Ends on Thursday, September 1, 2022 at 3:59 PM
Family and friends can collaborate on a special keepsake book during this virtual event. Every condolence message, sympathy gift, memory and photo shared to the Tribute Wall during the 10-day event window will be included.
After the virtual event has closed, everything shared to the Tribute Wall is transformed into a one-of-a-kind Tribute Book. You can preview the Tribute Book instantly and order physical copies to treasure.
https://www.troutfuneralhome.com/obituaries/William–Hargraves?obId=25680910#/celebrationWall

Final Resting Place
Grandview Cemetery
988 Grandview Drive
Kaw City, OK Oklahoma

Source: Trout Funeral Home