Obituary for Donald “Jake” Williams

Donald Jake Williams

January 14, 1936 ~ November 25, 2022 (age 86)

Donald “Jake” Williams, 86, passed away peacefully on November 25, 2022 at Stillwater Medical Center.

Born January 14, 1936, in Fairfax, Oklahoma to Cecil Williams and Cletis Miller Williams. He attended Ponca City Public Schools throughout his schooling, until his senior year where he graduated in 1954 from Fairfax High School in Fairfax, Oklahoma.

Shortly after graduation, he joined the Pro-Rodeo Cowboys Association. There, he started his professional bull riding career that allowed him to travel the country. After cashed paychecks and broken bones, he came home and found the love of his life, Joan Frances Sebor. They were married October 3, 1959, in Ponca City, Oklahoma surrounded by good friends and family. In 1961, they were blessed with a daughter, Kerri Lou. One year later, daughter Terri Dawn was born, and ten years later, their son J Paul completed their family. When Jake and Joan got married, Jake started working day-work at the local livestock auctions. Jake began making a little side money helping neighbors haul cattle with his bob-tailed truck to and from the livestock sales he would be working. One day at Newkirk Livestock Auction, the auctioneer got sick and as fate would have it, opportunity presented itself for Jake to sell the auction. This started his career as a self-taught auctioneer, that lasted over 60 years. He eventually sold at most of the livestock auctions with in a 150-mile radius of Ponca City in this time span. For years he was the voice of the Livestock Market Report for Tulsa Stockyards every Monday. Jake at 86 years old, sold at Southern Plains Livestock Auction in Blackwell, Oklahoma, all the way up to the week that he passed away. Selling at multiple sale barns allowed Jake the opportunity to surround himself with successful cattlemen that would mentor him into his lifelong passion, ranching. In time, with his hard work ethic and picking things up along the way, he was able to lease an abundance of acres in Osage county alone. He eventually purchased the well-known “East Jack” pasture off Highway 60 near Burbank, Oklahoma. Over the years, that grew into a nice family ranch in Osage County. Jake was known for colorful and charismatic livestock that just happened to match his personality. He fed cattle across five states and endured spells of very hard years that broke many people. But together with his wife, they learned to better market their cattle, and they made it through. As Jake grew older, his role as ‘Poppy’ became a cherished time in his life. He was on cloud nine when his granddaughter, Ginger, would visit from Amarillo, spending time in the summer with him and Joan. He also loved watching his grandsons, Bodey and TJ, play baseball. However, working cattle with his grandchildren, while holding deep conversations at the end of a chute was precious times for all.

Besides his family, Jake’s passions were steer ropings, calcuttas, estate sales, and watching PBR on Sundays. Jake only ever asked one thing of Joan, to never to ask him to retire. He worked up until the day he passed, doing what he loved; being with his wife, feeding cattle, doing chores, petting his cats and taking his dog for a walk.Jake is survived by his wife of 63 years, Joan Sebor Williams, daughters Kerri Williams and Terri Younger, son J Paul Williams and wife Michelle. Grandchildren Ginger Younger Wieck and husband Brad, Bodey and TJ Williams. Brother Charles “Sonny” Williams and wife Marcia.

He is preceded in death by his parents Cecil and Cletis Williams, brother Bob “Bobby Jack” Williams and sister Joan Williams Ehler.

A celebration of Jake’s life will be held 5:00 pm Friday, December 2, 2022, at the Burbank Alumni Building, Burbank, Oklahoma. Arrangements have been made through Grace Memorial Chapel, Ponca City, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the charity of your choice.