Billie Donelda (Doni) Wheatley passed away Monday, March 6, 2023, in Yukon, Oklahoma.
She was born Feb. 20, 1927, in Oklahoma City to parents William and Willa Hight. After graduating from Central High School, she first attended Oklahoma College for Women, then transferred to Oklahoma A&M, now known as Oklahoma State University. She graduated in 1948 with a degree in biochemistry. While at OSU, she was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority and made lifelong friends at all three schools.
After college she went to work for Braniff Airlines, beginning a lifelong love for travel. In 1952, she married John Wheatley, and they had two sons, John Newton (Newt) and Matthew (Matt) Lynn. In 1962, Doni and John moved to Yukon, where John established his private law practice in his hometown.
Doni was an active volunteer in her community and was highly involved in her sons’ schools and with the First Christian Church. She served on the Board of Regents of Redlands Community College, the Mabel Fry Library Board, was a volunteer for Mobile Meals and the Yukon Art League and served the American Cancer Society for over 25 years, as well as many other organizations.
Doni and John loved to travel and not only explored much of the U.S, but Doni also visited over 30 countries. They also loved spending time with family and friends at their vacation home in Breckenridge, Colorado.
In 1993, Doni and John were devastated by the death of their son Newt, who was killed in an avalanche while mountain climbing. However, the weight from Newt’s death was lifted in 1996 by the birth of their only grandchild, their granddaughter, Alex.
Doni was preceded in death by her parents; her husband John of 49 years; and her son John Newton. She is survived by her son, Matt and his wife Cindy; her beloved granddaughter Alex; her sister, Jan O’Bryan; and Jan’s children, Doni Neufeld and Mike Neufeld.
Services will be held Saturday, March 11 at 11 a.m. at the Yanda & Son Funeral Home Chapel, Yukon, with interment following at the Yukon Cemetery. Friends are also welcome to come pay their respects on Friday, March 10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, per Doni’s request, memorials may be made to Pets and People, P.O. Box 850587 Yukon, Oklahoma, 73085, or Free to Live, P.O Box 5884, Edmond, Oklahoma, 73083, or a charity of one’s choice.
Online condolences may be signed at www.yandafuneral.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Yanda & Son Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Yukon, Oklahoma.
