Willie “George” Ivie, 99, of Ponca City, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, July 24, 2026. Viewing will be held on Friday, July 31, 2026 at Trout Funeral Home between 10:00AM and 5:00PM. A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00PM on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at First Baptist Church in Ponca City, OK. Burial will take place at 2:00PM on Monday, August 3, 2026, at Resthaven Cemetery in Ponca City, OK. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK 74601.
George was born on August 8, 1926, in Locust Grove, Oklahoma, to William and Edna (Heiss) Ivie.
George proudly served his country in the United States Navy. He went on to build a career as a craftsman technician in the oil and gas industry, work he approached with the same steady dependability that marked everything he did.
On September 19, 1948, in Ponca City, he married the love of his life, Elizabeth “Helen” (Fowler) Ivie, who preceded him in death, along with his parents; his sister, Naomi Sober; his brothers, Gene Ivie and Perry Ivie; and his daughter, Dianne “Mickey” St. John.
A born-again Christian, George was a devoted member of Ranch Drive Baptist Church, where he was a charter member and served as a deacon. He taught Sunday school classes for youth and newlyweds, and also gave his time in the toddler nursery at First Baptist Church. He loved children of all ages, and they loved him right back. He was a favorite of the little ones, who never let him forget it. Outside of church,
George was an avid coon and squirrel hunter who enjoyed his time outdoors. George enjoyed coon hunting more than anything, and still hunted into his nineties. He was a handy-man that could work and fix anything. Everyone that knew him would say he was a jack-of-all-trades. George was also notorious for flipping earrings, hair, and ear lobes.
George is survived by his sons, Michael Ivie, and Stephen Ivie (wife, Cindy); son-in-law, Danny St. John; grandchildren, Rick Ivie (wife, Talia), Brandi McDougal, William Ivie (wife, Brooke), Robert Ivie (wife, Esther), Danielle Brown (husband, Jeremy), Matthew St. John, and Mark St. John; great-grandchildren, Jackson Ivie (wife, Lilly), Kylie Ivie, Claire McDougal, Cohen Ivie, Kendall Ivie, Evangeline Brown, Dietrich Brown, Sophie Brown, and Olive Brown; and great-great-grandchildren, Elenore Ivie, and Rosalind Ivie; along with many other family members and friends who were blessed to know him.
More than anything, George will be remembered for his heart. He always chose to see the good in people and never met a stranger. He made it a habit to put others before himself, always.