Blake Williford's Obituary
Blake Edmond Williford, 50, of Jay, Oklahoma, passed away on July 17, 2025, after a car accident. Blake was born on February 9, 1975, to Lloyd Williford and Vicky (Hamlin) Williford in Bakersfield, California. He attended school in Bakersfield and went on to study at Grand Canyon University, graduating with a degree in secondary education social studies.
His journey to fulfill his life-long dream of teaching and coaching youth sports began at Stockdale High School in Stockdale, California. After moving to Oklahoma, he coached at Webster, Central, and McClain High Schools in Tulsa, Oklahoma; Charles Page High School in Sand Springs, Oklahoma; and Jay High School, in Jay, Oklahoma. Blake was most recently named defensive coordinator at Prairie Grove High School in Prairie Grove, Arkansas. Although his time at Prairie Grove had just started, he had already made a lasting impression on this community. His players, students, and fellow coaches are deeply saddened by his loss. His philosophy of "academics first" and passion for teaching has influenced the learning of countless young people in the communities he served.
Blake was also a businessman, who single-handedly started and ran not one, but two, successful carpet cleaning companies. He came by his entrepreneurial spirit naturally, watching his dad, Lloyd, and other family run successful businesses in California.
On December 10, 2008, Blake stepped in to his most cherished role. On this day his son, Grant Edmond Williford, was born. Anyone who knew Blake knew that he was an incredibly loving dad. Grant was the center of his world, and his favorite player to watch.
Blake was preceded to heaven by his mother, Vicky, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and his beloved dog, Brody. He is survived by his son, Grant Williford, of Owasso, OK; his father, Lloyd Williford and stepmother, Virginia Williford, of Bakersfield, CA; his brother, Darin Williford, of Bakersfield, CA; his sisters, Crystal Williford, of Bakersfield, CA; Haley Ford, of Girard, KS; Cindy Paterson, of Fredericksburg, VA.
A memorial will be held on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 2:00 pm, at Rivercrest Chapel, located at 13329 S. Memorial Drive, Bixby, Oklahoma, 74008
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