Printed in The Davis News on Feb. 23, 2011; Reprinted with permission

E.W. "BOLLIE" PLETCHER

Funeral services for Everett William "Bollie" Pletcher will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011, at the First Baptist Church of Davis with the Revs. James Densman and Fred Greening officiating. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery in Ardmore.

Bollie was born on Aug. 21, 1918, in Choctaw County, Okla., to Ammon C. and Maud (Riley) Pletcher Sr. He died Monday, Feb. 21, 2011, in Sulphur at the age of 92 years and 6 months.

Bollie and Lola Mae Brown were married on Aug. 24, 1940. She preceded him in death in June of 1991. On Jan 17, 1992, Bollie and Iva Nell (Hefley) Ruggs were married in Marietta.

Bollie was a hard-working businessman who found God and his family to be the two most important things in his life. Throughout his life, he worked in various types of businesses and jobs, giving him his title, "a jack of all trades." His most enjoyable trade was operating heavy equipment, especially the dozer. His claim to fame was being the first dozer operator to work above the Arctic Circle. Bollie was proud to be a part of civilian operators who built the first military base on Thule, Greenland. It remains the U.S. Air Force's northern-most base, located just 947 miles from the North Pole. He was designated a "Blue Nose" award for his service. Bollie envisioned and built the Deer Creek Lodge in Davis. He built it for the sole purpose of creating a place for his family, as well as many other families, to come together and reunite. He found great happiness in watching families gather and fellowship together.

In his spare time, Bollie enjoyed traveling in his "bus," fishing with Iva Nell and being with his family. He had a special, individual love for each of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Bollie was a member of the Springer Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, as well as a co-founder of the Oklahoma Mission Development and a district manager for the National Motor Club.

He is survived by his loving wife, Iva Nell; daughter, Bonnie Jean Smith and husband, Bill, of Howe, Texas; two sons, Jerry Pletcher and wife, Diane, of Davis and Don Pletcher and wife, Joyce, of Ardmore; two step-sons, Rick Ruggs of Crescent and David Ruggs of Victoria, Texas; seven grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; 16 step-grandchildren; 16 step great-grandchildren, as well as two sisters, Reda Pearl (Qupie) Taylor of Ardmore and Marie Underwood of Del City.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lola Pletcher, an infant daughter, Bonnie Sue Pletcher, a sister, Norma Brown, and five brothers, Bruce, Bub, Bryce, A.C. Jr. and Buck Pletcher.

Serving as pallbearers will be Calvin Pender, Gary Thompson, John Pittman, Charles Brady and Casey and Jason Smith. Honorary bearers will be Paul Jones, Sam Powell, Larry Smith, Woodrow Potts, Eric Hayes, Cliff Swartzbaugh, Beaux Fulton, Jim Pittman, Cliff Sewell, Kevin Carter, Cody Parrott, Edd Wise and David Wilson.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday evening (tonight) from 4 to 6 p.m.

Services are entrusted to Hale's Funeral Home of Davis.