Wilma Stanley

Wilma Roxie Stanley of Levelland passed from this life Tuesday, January 9, 2018. Funeral services will be held Friday January 12 at Krestridge Funeral Home Chapel and interment in the City of Levelland Cemetery. Visitation is Thursday January 11 at Krestridge Funeral Home in Levelland from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.

Wilma Roxie Stanley came with her family in January 1928 to the newly established town of Levelland, Texas from Tioga, which is in Cook County. A friend, Ferman Steele, had told her daddy, Earl Stanley, that he was getting ''bales to an acre''! So Earl loaded up his wife, Roxie, and the kids Dave, Wilma, Jack and Dee. They were heading to where the land was better and ''livin' was easier''. Wilma was 7 ½ years old. She said the 3 day trip was hard and COLD for a BLUE NORTHER had blown in. She and her brothers worked hard on the farm especially through the Depression years instilling a no-waste attitude and a fearless approach to life.

Graduating from Petttit High School, Wilma received the Salutatorian Award and a scholarship in 1939 to go to Texas Tech where the tuition was a whopping $25. Her education had to go on hold, however, when World War II broke out. Her three oldest brothers left to fight and she headed to Oakland, California to work in the shipyards as a welder. Working the night shift because it paid more, she saved enough money by the end of the war to buy a farm back in Hockley County. After the war, she finished her education, achieving a Masters Degree, and taught school 42 years, the majority in Seminole 4th grade.

Wilma never had much use for material things. Her greatest love was for people and for family. What she loved the most were her brothers. She is preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Roxie Stanley; brothers, Dave, Jack, Dee and Harley; and sisters-in-law, Opal and Janelle Stanley.

She is survived by her brothers J R and wife Bettye, James, and sister-in-law Frances; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Krestridge Funeral Home. (806) 897-1111

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