Wilma Gene Day (Canning)

Wilma was born in Orlando, Oklahoma on October 9, 1930 to Claud G. Canning and Wilma Irene Canning. She passed away Thursday, December 30, 2021 in Edmond, Oklahoma.

She lived much of her life northeast of Guthrie where she attended country schools. Beginning with the 9th grade, she attended Guthrie High School. She graduated from GHS in 1948 and she and her husband attended their class reunions, never missing one, until she became ill. She spent many years working for the telephone company in Guthrie. After graduating from high school, she met and married her husband, Charles M. Day, on February 9, 1955. She and her husband had three children: Vaun, Britt, and Tina.

In the late 1950’s, the couple moved to Norman where Charles graduated with his bachelor’s degree in Geology from the University of Oklahoma. Wilma loved living in Norman and made many friends while working for the university and became an avid OU sports fan. After graduating from OU, Charles worked for the Soil Conservation service and the couple moved regularly to several towns and cities such as: Oklahoma City, Shawnee, Paul’s Valley, Lindsey, Ada, Clinton, Chickasha, and finally Claremore where they lived for several years and all three of their children graduated from Claremore High School. Charles began his own construction company in Claremore, Day Construction Company, that he operated for several years. In 1980, Charles took a job as a geologist with the US Bureau of Reclamation, and they moved to Ord, Nebraska. They loved living in Ord and again made many friends there. Wilma was an excellent bowler and bowled for many years, being in leagues in both Oklahoma and Nebraska. Finally, they moved to Grand Island where they lived for several years before moving to Edmond.

Wilma and Charles lived in Edmond for the past 31 years and Wilma worked for Walmart where she made many friends. Unfortunately, she suffered a stroke on October 31, 2009, and lived in Bradford Village for the last 12 years. She could no longer walk and made the best of it and enjoyed taking part in all the activities that Bradford offered as well as visiting with her fellow residents.

Wilma is preceded in death by her husband Charles, who died January 16, 2014 and her parents, Claud and Wilma Canning, of Guthrie.

Survivors include Vaun of Casa Grande, AZ, Britt and wife Jackie of Inola, OK, daughter Tina Diaz and husband Orlando of Gold Canyon, AZ, seven grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Friday, January 7, 2022 at Smith Memorial Chapel. Interment will follow at Summit View Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Smith-Gallo Funeral Home, 220 North 1st St. Guthrie, Oklahoma 73044.

Visitation will be held Thursday, 5:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. at Smith-Gallo Funeral Home.

Friends may sign the online guestbook.