Stanley Witham

Stanley Dale Witham, known to most as "Gabby," was born in Henryetta, Oklahoma, on February 28, 1956, to Bobby and Edith (Walden) Witham.

Gabby grew up a rough-and-tumble kid who never did anything halfway and had no fear of anything. He attended Bryant Elementary in Tulsa during elementary school, and he attended Tiawah for 7th grade, then moving to Inola in at the age of 14. Inola is where Gabby would meet the people who would surround him for the rest of his life. And what a life it was! Many of his friends and siblings have a colorful story about "getting in trouble with Gabby". During his teenage years Gabby participated in boxing, shop class, and bull riding. He never walked away from a fight...even when he should have. Gabby married his high school sweetheart, Sandy Smith in 1974. Despite praying for a boy, in 1977 Gabby welcomed his first daughter Annie, and in 1981 his second daughter Jessica. He was the ultimate girl dad! He coached sports, played with dolls, took his girls fishing, read bedtime stories, and scared away monsters in the dark. He was a man of few words, but the words he offered were often meaningful, even if they were not always repeatable. Gabby hosted many teen and pre-teen slumber parties with his legendary "snack trays" piled high with junk food! He was the king of tornados as he often destroyed Barbie villages built by Annie and Jess after HOURS of hard work.

In his late teens, Gabby began his career in the world of water well drilling. Men such as Stoney Burke, Jim Winnick, and Nelson Hoss were admired immensely by Gabby. In 1980 Gabby started Witham Drilling. He successfully ran Witham Drilling for over 20 years, and he always had a side gig working on something mechanical or pushing dirt around on a bull dozer. Hunting was beyond just a hobby for Gabby. For 15 years he hunted with his best friend Sam, a devoted yellow Lab. He loved the mountains, and he loved the waters of Cozumel. He was scuba certified and he loved the water. He frequently had to wear weights when he went diving because he was so light he would float to the top!

Stanley loved watching his grandkids grow up! He would frequently play hide and seek with them in the dark when they were small , he read classic stories to them and added his own "spin" to make them all belly laugh, he even gave their bedtime bottles when he'd stop by for a late-night visit. He loved Christmas when his girls lived at home, and he was always adding more lights to one-up the year before. He would spend hours on the roof getting the lights just right. He loved antiques and old stuff with a story. He was a "collector" of many things.

Gabby provoked strong feelings in people. You either loved him or hated him. He didn't really care which it was. Gabby didn't want a funeral. He said, "half the sonofabitches who will come don't even like me". So there will not be a funeral.

Gabby is preceded in death by his parents, Bobby Witham and Edith Walden.

He leaves behind his daughter, Annie Whinery and husband John, his daughter Jessica Lee, his grandsons, Kameron Whinery, Trevor Mora, and Harper Whinery; granddaughters Evie Mora, Tannie Jo Lee, and Alecia Ringler; his siblings, brother Russ Witham, and sisters Gayle Witham, Sandy Smith, and Pam Hinkle. Gabby's family is incredibly grateful to his life-long besties: Joe Keith Hall, Slugger, Jeff Orender, David Wilson, and Don Fugate for all the love and support given throughout his life until his last breath. Gabby's family and closest friends will never forget his wild stunts, stories, near death experiences, tough edges, tender heart, and the way he unashamedly lived life completely on his own terms.

He will be missed tremendously.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the Spring of 2026.

Arrangements are entrusted to Schaudt Glenpool-Bixby Funeral Service & Cremation Care Centers, 1329 East 151st Street, Glenpool, OK 74033. Condolences may be shared at www.schaudtfuneralservice.com