Milton Wayne Newby

Milton “Wayne” Newby of Meeker, Oklahoma, made his earthly departure on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, to effectuate his devoted mission to spend his heavenly eternity with our Lord Jesus Christ.

Wayne was born May 13, 1937, in a sandstone two-story house east of Meeker, Oklahoma, as the eldest son to Orbe Lee and Gwendolyn Florice (Green) Newby. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, Ivan Thayne and James David Newby and recently his youngest son, Dale Lorne Newby. He is survived by his ever devoted bride of 68 years, Bobbie June (Evans) Newby, his eldest son, Orbie Wayne Newby and his wife Vetha, his (unofficially adopted) son, Ghent William Weyer and his wife Jennifer, his daughter, Keri June (Newby) Anders and her husband John, his granddaughter, Lauren Kae (Newby) Skinner and her wife Jamie and his identical twin great-grandsons, Gavin and Mason Stiles.

Upon Bobbie’s arrival to Meeker High School in the winter of 1956, Wayne was instantly mesmerized. With his infamous ox-like strength and her sweet disposition, they were the picturesque perfect pair. They married August 20, 1957, beginning their union in Midwest City, Oklahoma. In August 1985, the married couple returned to their beloved hometown of Meeker, Oklahoma, with a sole mission of living out their days side by side in their rural dwelling.

As a Southern Baptist pastor’s son, Wayne’s life’s trajectory was set on serving his Lord and Savior with eminent familiarity of all scriptures and a joyful hymnal bellowing in his discernible baritone. Wayne was undoubtedly recognizable by his signature thick, curly, red pompadour along with his starched Levi’s and brown bullhide boots. He had an extraordinarily curious mind with a naturally effortless vocabulary and was an insatiable logophile. He was a highly social being, known as an inquisitive talker with the sharpest of all wits and unfailing recall. He never met a stranger and longed for the deepest of connections. A truck driver by trade, he possessed an innate sense of direction across all states without one day lost among the roadways; an advantageously invaluable trait he taught all of his children.

We find solace knowing you’re among the heavens aside your son, Dale, awaiting the Lord’s call to bring home your lifelong companion and wife. We sing your favorite hymn in celebratory praise to your heavenly entrance. Rest in the Lord’s eternal peace, Dad.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, November 21, 2025, 10:00 a.m. CST, at New Hope Cemetery, Meeker, Oklahoma.

“God sent his son, they called him Jesus

He came to love, heal and forgive

He lived and died, to buy my pardon

An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow

Because He lives, all fear is gone

Because I know, He holds the future

And life is worth the living just because He lives

How sweet to hold, a newborn baby

And feel the pride and the joy He gives

But greater still, the calm assurance

This child can face uncertain days because He lives

And then one day, I’ll cross that river

I’ll fight life’s final war with pain

And then as death gives way to victory

I’ll see the lights of glory, and I’ll know He lives

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow

Because He lives, all fear is gone

Because I know He holds the future

And life is worth the living just because He lives

Because He lives

Because He lives”