04/02/2026
Toske Willits was born in Oklahoma, to Ben and Susanna Willits, on February 10, 1938. He lived in Oklahoma his entire life, primarily in Tulsa. The only time he left was to perform his military service in Washington D.C. After graduating from Bacone High School, he attended Bacone Jr. College. He worked for the Oklahoma State highway Department from 1960 to 1965. He then attended Okmulgee State Tech from 1965 to 1967 where he learned refrigeration and air conditioning. He worked 32 years as a pipefitter and retired at age 62. He has been a member of the pipefitter local for over 50 years. His military service included the National Guard from 1954 to 1957 and the U.S. Army from March 1958 to March 1960. He was stationed at Fort Myers in Washington, D.C. with the Old Guard. Outside of work, Toske was also heavily active in sports. Bowling was his best activity. He and his partner took first place in the Tulsa City tournament. He played in Tulsa soccer leagues until he was 45 years old. He remained very diligent in his running training. He ran the "Tulsa Run" annually throughout the 1980's, even coming in the top 50 runners. Never resting, Toske ran and walked many miles over the decades until around 2022. Toske attended church at Indian Fellowship Baptist Church in Oakhurst from 1985 to 2009 where he learned creek songs from Reverend Bill Alexander. Even though he does not speak Creek, he learned the songs. Toske helped keep the Muscogee creek language and culture alive by inspiring others. Eventually, he led Creek singing classes at Tulsa Creek Indian Community. In 2025, he became a member of Salt Creek Methodist Church in Holdenville He served on the Creek Nation Election Board for 3 years and on the Creek Nation Citizenship Board for 30 years. Toske was well-known at TCIC. He helped plan the first Halloween party, Veteran's Dinners, and used his skills to revamp the Tulsa Creek smoke shop. Also, when the Council Oak ceremony was turned over to the community in 1996, he wrote the program of activities which is followed to this date. He is the recipient of many awards, including the "Charles Chibitty Family Community Contributor Award" in 2016. Toske touched many lives and gained many friends along the way. In addition to his generous actions to the Creek Community, Toske donated 400 pints of blood to the Red Cross. He makes donations to John 3:16, the Salvation Army, and numerous Native American churches in Oklahoma. Toske's actions exemplify the heart of gold he has and his love for others. Toske Willits met his wife, Paula, in Tulsa, around 1978. The pair were married May 1, 1993. The two have created a life and home in West Tulsa sharing their love and friendship for decades. He is preceded in death by his parents Susanna and Ben Willits, and his brother Louis Willits. He leaves behind his loving wife, Paula, stepson Forbes Perkins, and granddaughter Makayla Perkins., Cochana Green, daughter, and Britni and Chandis Green, granddaughter and grandson and several great grandchildren.. Toske passed peacefully at home beside his wife in the early night of March 30, 2026, in Tulsa, Ok. He was loved and will be missed by all. He was a great man, an even better husband, father, and spectacular grandfather. He was a friend to all and an inspiration to many. His kind demeanor, humor, and the joy he brought to our daily lives will be forever remembered.
