Wilbur Paul Drake was born January 26, 1917 in Fargo, Oklahoma to Roy L. and Geneva I. (Covey) Drake. He grew up in the Sixteen Mile Community and graduated from Fargo High School in 1934. He married Zella M. Benger on June 3, 1938. They had three children, Barbara, Robert and Billy.

He was a farmer, rancher, contractor and custom wheat cutter, which is how he received his nickname of the “Oklahoma Wheat Whacker.” He was a member of the Ft. Supply Methodist Church. During his life he was also a member of the Fort Supply School Board, Fargo Masonic Lodge and a Charter member of the Fort Supply Lions Club, where served as the “Tail Twister” for many years.

Wilbur was well known for his practical jokes that he played on his family and friends. His grandchildren remember playing with all of his many prankster gadgets. Two of their favorites being the famous “Quail Call” which would blow baby powder in your face when you blew on the mouth piece and the “Can of Mixed Nuts” that when opened, out would jump a spring tube several feet long. There was nothing better than to see the look on Wilbur’s face when his prank was successful.

Wilbur loved to camp and travel. In his younger years he and Zella would travel to Branson, Missouri where they would meet other couples for vacation. In his later years, he limited his camping to the Ft. Supply Lake area and made advance reservations annually so that the kids and grandkids could all visit. He loved spending time with his family and always had a joyful smile on his face when they were around.

Wilbur’s mind and memory was sharper than a tack. He had a story for every piece of road you would travel with him and told stories of his life in great detail. He was a proud heir of the Federal Eagle Quilt that is displayed during May of each year at the Pioneer and Plains Museum. The quilt was made by his great-great-great-great grandmother. He was also very proud to be a descendant of H.P. Covey, one of the delegates who signed and was instrumental in the making of the Constitution of Oklahoma as a State in 1906.

Wilbur is survived by his sons, Bob Drake of Woodward and Bill Drake of Fargo; his four grandchildren, Debbie Stewart and husband Steve of Fargo; Cole Drake and wife Angie of Shamrock, Texas; Amy Powers and husband Josh of Stillwater; Dane Drake and wife Barby of Gate; 11 great-grandchildren, Natasha Noreuil of Vici; Nicole Goddard and Tyler Tune of Fargo; Maddy and Bella Stewart both of Anna, Texas; Traylen Drake of Shamrock, Texas; Logan Leding and Lakeley Powers both of Stillwater; Gracien Drake, Logan and Peyton Freeman all of Gate; his two great-great-granddaughters, Casi Noreuil and Charity Albert of Vici and many other nieces, nephews, family, friends and caregivers.

Wilbur was preceded in death by his wife Zella, daughter Barbara, parents Roy Lesley Drake Sr. and Geneva Isabel (Covey) Drake, sister Coralee (Drake) Minnick and infant brother Roy Lesley Drake, Jr.

The following gentlemen will serve as active pallbearers, Cole Drake, Dane Drake, Tyler Tune, Steve Stewart, Josh Powers and Jared Barnes. Honorary pallbearers will be Traylen Drake, Logan Leding, Peyton Freeman, Logan Freeman and Harold Wanger.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at the Fort Supply United Methodist Church with the Reverend Bill Tindell officiating. Interment will be in the Fargo Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Billings Funeral Home.