Ralph Clifford Willis was born on September 9, 1929 to Eula Ida Platt and William Franklin Willis in Oklahoma City, OK. He worked hard from an early age, helping his father deliver ice, and shining shoes around town in order to help make ends meet for his family. He was the oldest of five siblings and enjoyed a close, loving relationship with family throughout his entire life.
Ralph attended Central High School in Oklahoma City and graduated in 1949. It was there he met the love of his life, Carolyn Joan Fakas. They were married on December 22, 1951. Shortly thereafter, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served our country with pride in the Korean War. While in the Navy, he was trained as an electrician, which became his trade following his service.
Ralph worked for Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company for 10 years following his service in the Navy, working his way up to being responsible for the relay switch maintenance department. His talents were known and he was hired away from OGE by Southwestern Electric Company to serve as operations manager. He oversaw the company’s entry into the traffic signal business, building some of the first signalized intersections in Oklahoma and Arkansas.
Ralph and his family spent many weekends at Lake Texoma enjoying cookouts, fishing and water skiing. Ralph taught his children his tireless work ethic and would bring them along to help him with odd jobs he would do in the evenings and on weekends.
An entrepreneur at heart, Ralph dreamed of bigger things and with the help of his family went into business for himself, founding Traffic & Lighting Systems (TLS) in 1982. With Ralph running the jobs, David bidding them and managing the office, and Cathy taking care of the financials, they built a successful company that has grown from a few employees to nearly 150 with offices in Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Springdale, AR.
Later in life, Ralph and Carolyn enjoyed time at their homes on Lake Texoma and Port Isabel, TX. They made many wonderful friends everywhere they went.
Ralph was a 32nd Degree Mason, a member in The Shriners and The Royal Order of Jesters. He was also a member of the American Legion, 40th & 8th Veterans Org., AOGC, OMCA, and the OK Traffic Engineering Assoc.
Ralph was proceeded in death by his wife Carolyn and son Randy. He is survived by his son David, daughter Catherine, sisters Lois and Betty, brothers Kenneth and Derryl, granddaughters Lindsey, and Mary Caitlin, grandsons Loren and Walter, great granddaughters Lily, Willow, Lorelei, Hadley, and great grandson Benjamin.
Visitation will be at Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper on Friday, December 27th from 4:00pm to 6:00pm.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family is asking that donations be made to Salvation Army at https://salvationarmyokcac.org/.
