Arlie Elwin Isley

In Geary, Oklahoma, Arlie Elwin Isley was born January 6, 1934 to Lloyd S. Isley and Verna M. Jones Isley in the middle of winter. Arlie passed in Yukon, Oklahoma, on May 20, 2021, at the age of 87 as spring was ending.

Funeral services will be at Yukon Church, 11715 NW 10th St., Yukon, OK, at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, May 27, 2021 with burial following at Summit View Cemetery in Guthrie, Oklahoma.

Arlie grew up in Geary, Oklahoma, attended Pleasant Ridge School, and graduated from Geary High School in 1953. Arlie went directly into the U.S. Forest Service in Montana. Later, Arlie joined the U.S. Army, serving in many locations, including Korea, Japan, and the United States, before receiving his honorable discharge.

Following his military service, Arlie joined Western Electric Company which later became AT&T.

Only July 8, 1962, Arlie married Louise Bishop. To this union, one daughter was born, Kelly Ann Isley.

Arlie spent much of his time working and attending college at Oklahoma State University (OSU) and Central State University, completing economics and geography degrees.

Later, Arlie married a colleague at AT&T, Norma Lee Bucknam McCullough on April 15, 1978.

After Arlie and Norma retired on the same day, they were active in their Church and traveled extensively, which Arlie later wrote about in two books. They also enjoyed spending time with family, friends, grandchildren, and especially their great-grandchildren.

Arlie was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd & Verna Isley; brothers, Myrle, Burle, Elmer, and Darrell; sister, Vesta Isley and Delpha Isley Crawford; granddaughter, Kristen McCullough Bunce, and great-grandson, Thomas Speligene.

Arlie has many survivors who loved and will miss him including his wife, Norma Isley; daughter, Kelly Isley Benjes and husband, Skip Benjes of Arizona; son, Ryburn McCullough and wife, Jana McCullough of Oklahoma and sisters, Verla McAninch and husband, Jim McAninch of Oklahoma and Lela Collier of Oklahoma. Also surviving are his precious grandchildren, Jaime McCullough Speligene and husband, Phillip Speligene of Georgia, Linzie McCullough of Oklahoma, Doug Bunce of Oklahoma, Britt McCullough Hill and husband, Jake Hill of Oklahoma, Carson McCullough of Oklahoma, Brody McCullough of Oklahoma, Mitch Benjes of Australia, Vivian Benjes of Oregon, and Natalie Benjes of Oregon, and great grandchildren, Kauri, Parker, and Jolie Bunce, also of Oklahoma, along with Lucie, Dustin, and Mady Speligene of Georgia.

Online condolences may be signed at www.yandafuneral.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Yanda & Son Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Yukon, OK.

(Paid Obituary)