William Kenneth James, Sr.

Private Graveside Service for William Kenneth “Ken” James, Sr., 89, of Sallisaw, OK, is under the direction of Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Service, Inc.

William Kenneth “Ken” James, Sr. of Sallisaw, Oklahoma passed away Sunday morning, December 20, 2020, in Sallisaw, Oklahoma. Ken was born June 17, 1931, in Sallisaw to Obid James and Hazel James.

As a teenager, Ken started working for Jim Marvin, who taught him the skills for butchering meat. He graduated from Sallisaw High School where he played football and basketball and commuted to Connors State College. Ken married Margaret Helen Woods on July 29, 1952, in Sallisaw. She preceded him in death on December 31, 2008. In 1968 Ken moved his family to Tahlequah and retired many years later as the Meat Market Manager for Safeway in Muskogee. In 2001 he and Helen returned to Sallisaw. Ken’s favorite hobby was fishing with crappie being his catch of choice. He enjoyed playing dominoes, cultivating his backyard garden and was very good at making jelly when his grapes produced. Ken also made plum jelly with fruit from his brother’s trees. He was always willing to share his homemade hot cocoa at Black Diamond Football games and attended as many games as possible at home and away. Ken loved to bowl with Helen and belonged to more than one league at the same time in Sallisaw and later in Tahlequah. Ken was a faithful member of Immanuel Baptist Church and a dedicated Christian.

Ken has two sons, William “Bill” Kenneth James, Jr. and Cindy Rogers of Sallisaw; Mark Dewayne James and his wife, Brandi of Sallisaw; four grandchildren Tricia Ann (James) Stubbs and her husband David of Carrollton, TX; Marcinda Lynn (James) Myers and her husband Brad of Wichita, KS; Robert Dewayne James and his wife Jackie of Dallas, TX; and Andrea Nicole James of Baton Rouge, LA; seven great-grandchildren Autumn & Alex of Carrollton TX, Kassidy & Haley of Wichita, KS, Kaden & Austen of Dallas, and Axel Dennis of Baton Rouge LA. Ken is also survived by his sister-in-law Fran (Woods) Bewley, whom Ken has always said, “she is my sister, not my in-law;” and many nieces and nephews.

Ken was preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years whom he yearned to see the past 12 years. He often said that he couldn’t wait until he was reunited with her again in Heaven. Friday morning with Ken’s nurse, Jodie, at his bedside; he was unresponsive. But he said, “Open the door, sweetheart, and I will be with you.” On Sunday morning Jesus opened that door, and Ken got his wish. He was also preceded in death by his parents and eight siblings, three sisters Geraldine, Lorene and Freda. Five brothers, OC, Jesse Dean, Harold, Donald and Gene.

Active Pallbearers will be Nelson Bewley, Brad Myers, David Stubbs, Leroy Hensley, Chris Hensley and Barry James.

Honorary Pallbearer will be Perry Kuykendall.

Viewing and Visitation will be 10 AM – 8 PM Tuesday at Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Home in Sallisaw, Oklahoma where the family will greet 6 – 8 PM.