Walter Lafferty, formerly of Blackwell, Oklahoma, died Monday afternoon, March 7, 2011, in the Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri, at the age of 95 years.


Services are scheduled at 2 p.m. Friday, March 11, 2011 in Roberts Funeral Home Chapel in Blackwell with the Rev. Glendon Sanders of the First Baptist Church of Blackwell officiating.

Casket bearers will be Ryan Rief, Eric Lafferty, Bryan Bonham, Kent Dice, Greg Dice, and Jason Dice.

Honorary casket bearers will be Dennis Rief, Kayli Rief, Jennifer Lafferty, Kimberly Lafferty, Becky McKinney, Marion Finley, Robert Finley, Mike Lafferty, Russell Nichols, Ronald Dice, and Don Newman.

Burial will be in the Blackwell Cemetery, Blackwell, Oklahoma.

Walter Lafferty was born May 7, 1915, in Lamont, Oklahoma to Marion Lafferty and Mary (McCall) Lafferty.

Most of his life was spent in Blackwell. During the depression, he worked in the CC camp and traveled the country on trains. He entered the army in 1942 and was a member of the 91st bomber group, 322nd squadron, stationed at Bassingbourn Air Base in Royston, England. He was a B-17 mechanic during the war and after the war he earned his commercial pilot's license. Although he never flew planes commercially, he flew planes in air shows and for pleasure. While in England, he met the love of his life on an underground train in London, England. He and Lauraine Jacobs were married on February 15, 1945 and had 57 wonderful years together before her passing on October 20, 2001.

During his lifetime he was active in the Masonic Lodge in Blackwell and was a member of the Shriners, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and American Legion. He was also a member of the Deputy Sheriff Reserve Unit and active in Civil Defense. Walter retired from the Blackwell Zinc Smelter in 1966 after working there for 30 years.

Survivors include one daughter, Linda Kay Rief and her husband Dennis, of Overland Park, Kan.; one son, Roger Lafferty and his wife Becky, of Blackwell; grandchildren Ryan Rief and Kayli Rief of Overland Park, Kan., Jennifer Lafferty of Wellington, Kan., Kimberly Lafferty of Caldwell, Kan., Eric Lafferty of Blackwell, Okla., Bryan Bonham of Sulphur, Okla., Becky Mckinney of Chickasha, Okla., Joshua Lafferty, Brody Lafferty, and Cody Lafferty of Blackwell, Okla.

He was preceded in death by five brothers, Haskell, Lee, Earl, Raymond, Charles, and five sisters, Mae Nichols, Myrtle Lafferty, Mary Newland, Gladys Baker, and Rozella Finley.

The family will be greeting friends and family prior to the service at the Red Cross building at from 11:30 to 1:00 for a luncheon and again after the service also at the Red Cross until 6:00 PM.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Oklahoma Heart Association, 5700 N Portland, Suite 203, Oklahoma City, OK 73112