Obituary for Johnny Waters

Ponca City Now - August 31, 2018 5:20 pm

Johnny Ray Waters

April 12, 1934 – August 29, 2018

Johnny R. Waters, age 84, longtime resident of Ponca City, Oklahoma, passed away Wednesday, August 29, 2018 at his home.

A graveside ceremony was held at 3:00 pm, Friday August 31, 2018 at the Highland Cemetery in Pawnee, OK where he was laid to rest next to his beloved wife Katherine. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory.

Johnny was born on April 12, 1934 in Ralston, OK. As a young child, he and his parents, Bennie and Winnie Johnston, moved to Fairfax where Johnny was raised and attended school. When he was 17, he joined the U.S. Air Force and went to basic training at Fort Hood, TX. Once he was out of the service, Johnny sold bibles door to door but decided he wasn’t much of a salesman as he would rather give them away. Pipe fitting drew Johnny in and he set off as a tradesman. Working with his hands provided Johnny with satisfaction; whether fixing something to be like new, or to create something interesting and useful. One fateful evening at a local tavern, a young Katherine Shaw saw his custom made jacket and told him he looked like he was Elvis Presley. They were married in Fairfax in 1960 setting off on a lifelong love story. They owned and operated a pool hall in Fairfax where he taught his children to shoot pool. Often, Johnny would generously help others with his time and resources while never seeking attention. Johnny was a great man who never had a harsh word to say about anyone.

Survivors include his son Steve Stanbrough and wife Gail of Pawnee, Daughter Jan Bliss and husband Rick of Ponca City, daughter Tiffany Hendricks and husband Dean of Edmond, grandchildren: Misty Cook and husband Chad, Amber Gordon, Kelly Marshall and wife Lisa, Jason Bliss and wife Misty, Alaina Sharp and husband Chris, Crystal Burton and husband Elijah, Brandon Horinek and wife DeeAnn, Amanda Jones, Jordan Hendricks and Logan Hendricks, 20 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren.

Johnny was preceded in death by his parents, wife Katherine, brother Max Waters, son Delbert Stanbrough, and great granddaughter Elizabeth Burton.

Source: Trout Funeral Home