Welton Hearst Copeland

Welton Hearst Copeland, 87, of Bethel Acres fell asleep in Christ Wednesday, May 21.

He was born August 8, 1937, in Altus, Oklahoma, to William Hearst and Lillian Mattie Copeland. Welton attended Harmony, Olustee, and Centralvue schools, graduating from Centralvue in 1955. He was an accomplished baseball player, lettering all four years in H.S. and played American Legion ball. After graduation, Welton left the “hot, dirty farm” of southwestern Oklahoma to become a Santa Fe Railroad telegrapher for four years. He then went to work for Sharpes Auto Supply in Oklahoma City, where he met Billie Smith and they were married on May 6, 1961. Welton then went to work for Transcon Lines for 20 years. He finished his career working for the State of Oklahoma in the Corporation Commission Transportation Division, retiring in 2003.

Welton was a strong man of faith who loved his Lord and his family with all his heart. He was a long-time member of Blackburn Chapel Baptist Church where he faithfully served in many ways including teaching, leading music, visiting the sick, and ministering to those in prison. He was a kind and generous man to everyone he met, and he will be greatly missed.

Welton was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, his parents, 3 brothers, Horace, Eugene and LeVance Copeland, and 3 sisters, Lillian Franklin, Thelda Butler, and Robbie Copeland.

He is survived by his 3 daughters, Paula (David) Williams, Karen (Paul) Thompson, and Kathy (Seth) Ramsey; 9 grandchildren, Russel (Coco) Ramsey, Kyle Ramsey, Brandon (Lindsay) Ramsey, Gareth (Chelsea) Williams, Evan (Jess) Williams, Rhys Williams, Lindi (Cody) Creel, Arinee (Coulter) Conner, and Rachel (Jake) Bersche; 19 great-grandchildren, Emma, David, Rowan, Caleb, Barrett, Cooper, Noah, Shepherd, Jacob, Kellan, Emery, Gavin, Kingston, Jack, Heath, Judah, Gabriel, Lilian, and Winnie Mae; 1 sister Sue (Ed) Hall and many nieces, nephews and friends.

A viewing will be Friday, May 30 from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm with the family present from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 31 at 11 a.m. at Blackburn Chapel Baptist Church with Rev. Paul Thompson and Rev. Larry Sparks officiating. Burial will follow at Blackburn Chapel Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please donate to Gideons International.