Obituary for Willa Long

Willa Arlene Long

March 20, 1940 — December 22, 2023

Willa Arlene Long of Kaw City, OK passed from this life on Dec 22nd, 2023. She was 83. Willa was born on March 20, 1940, in Pawnee, OK to Jesse Mehojah and Eva Ione Cassidy (Mehojah). She was the second of nine children. She attended Pawnee Indian Boarding school from childhood till the age of 18. After leaving school she met and married Donald E Long in 1960. Willa was the mother of four children, Trina Mehojah, Donella Long (Barker), Keith Long and Terry Estes. She also helped raise her granddaughter Maggi Caldwell (Smith). Her family was very important to her.

Willa was very proud of her heritage and would often boast to her grandchildren the pride as well as the hardships of being a Native American in her days. Willa had much to be proud of as her father was a full blood hereditary chief of the Kanza Tribe and her mother of Royal Irish decent. In her later years, Willa served on the tribal council for the Kaw Nation, as well as the Cultural Committee for many years. She was also employed with the Kaw Nation as the manager and later as a security guard of what was most recently known as Kaw Southwind Casino and Bingo.

Although Willa was a very private person, she had a few hobbies she really enjoyed which included reading, singing, dancing, playing canasta and Yahtzee and spending time with her family. She also enjoyed playing bingo with her brother Jesse (Chuck) and his wife Bev before her health didn’t allow her to leave home anymore. She will forever be remembered for her strength, humor, honesty, and her unwavering unconditional love by those who loved her and knew her best.

Willa is survived by her children, Trina Mehojah, Donella Long (Barker) and spouse Robert Barker, Keith Long, and Terry Estes and spouse Debbie Estes. Grandchildren Jeremy Reece, Haylie Reece (Christian), Josiah Reece, Justin Barker, Maggi (Caldwell) Smith, Chrystal (Barker) Gregory, Zachary Long, Falon Long, and Tamika Criner, 18 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and loved ones.

She is preceded in death by her parents Jesse Mehojah and Eva Ione Cassidy Mehojah, four brothers Ernest (Emmett) R. Mehojah, Jesse (Chuck) C. Mehojah, Daniel (Danny) M. Mehojah, and Tommy Mehojah. One sister, Marilyn K. Mehojah (York), two nephews Leonard D. (Lenny) Mehojah and Jesse C. (JC) Mehojah Jr., one niece Eva Christine York, (Howe) and one grandson Brandon M. Barker.

Viewing
Tuesday, January 2, 2024 2:00 – 7:00pm (Central time)
Grace Memorial Chapel
2016 N 14th St, Ponca City, OK 74601

Graveside Service
Tuesday, January 3, 2023 2:00 – 3:00pm (Central time)
Washunga Cemetery, Newkirk OK