James "Jim" Wilsie

James “Jim” Wilsie died in Shawnee, Oklahoma, on April 15, 2018, at the age of 62.Jim was born on June 25, 1955, in Purcell, OK, to Darryl and Delores Wilsie. He graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1977 with a degree in Accounting. It was at a Pizza Hut in Shawnee that he met the love of his life, Debbie, and they married in 1977. After moving to Shawnee, Jim worked for Federal National Bank as an internal auditor before later owning his own professional accounting practice. He eventually sold his practice and began working for the City of Shawnee as City Controller. He later joined the Baptist Foundation and worked as the Chief Financial Officer. Jim was a hard-working employee and took great pride in helping others through his career.Jim and Debbie welcomed two children, Chad and Amy, into their home and Jim loved them more than any father has loved their children. His children remember him as a loving, patient, and gentle father who encouraged them to find joy in their work and to love others through their ability to serve well. He showed up in every way he could at many dance recitals and sporting events, beaming with pride as he watched his children. Jim’s greatest joy in life came when he became “Pops” to his three grandchildren. He always had a story to tell or a picture to show off of his grandchildren to anyone who would ask about them. Jim was an active, dedicated member and deacon of Immanuel Baptist Church and had a large church family that loved him dearly. He was an avid OSU fan and cheered on the Pokes at every opportunity. Jim actively supported OBU and could regularly be found at the basketball and football games. He would even “call the hogs” or yell “war eagle” from time to time.Jim is survived by his mother, Delores Wilsie of Shawnee, OK; wife, Debbie Wilsie of Shawnee, OK; son, Chad and wife Carisa Wilsie of Yukon, OK; daughter, Amy and husband Blake Area of Nashville, TN; brothers, Russ Wilsie and wife Gara of Edmond, OK and Tom Wilsie and wife Lori of Tecumseh, OK; sisters-in-law Pam Finley of Shawnee, OK, and Judy Gentry and husband Carey of Granbury, TX; brother-in-law Steve Beasley of Flower Mound, TX; grandchildren, Isaiah, Carly, and Kylee Wilsie; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father, Darryl Wilsie and father-in-law Leon Beasley.The family will have a private burial. A memorial service is scheduled for Wednesday, April 18, 2018, at 2:00 pm at Immanuel Baptist Church. Visitation at Walker Funeral Service is scheduled for Tuesday, April 17, at 5:30-7:30. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to be made to the Immanuel Baptist Church building fund or the Karis Adoption Fund. Donations for the building fund should be mailed with a designation to the Jim Wilsie Memorial Fund to Immanuel Baptist Church, 1451 E. 45th St, Shawnee, OK, 74804. Donations to the Karis Adoption Fund can be given online at www.karisadoptionfund.org.