Esther Marie (Williams) Waner, 85, of Guthrie died December 1, 2020, after suffering from an aggressive form of cancer for four months. She also had COVID-19. Esther was born to Lennit and Effie (Bell) Williams on February 3, 1935, in Perry. She was a proud descendant of homesteaders who made the Land Run of 1889 and settled southeast of Muhall. Her family moved to Guthrie in the early 1940s and Esther called Guthrie home for the rest of her life.

She graduated from Guthrie High School in 1953 and later took classes at UCO. In 1958, she married Ferdy E. Waner; they were married until his death in July 2014. Esther became his partner in operating Waner's Garage, handling all the bookkeeping, dispatching wreckers, and taking on other responsibilities at the business until Ferdy's retirement in the late-1990s. At different periods in her life, Esther also worked at Lintz Department Store, Bill Pugh Ford, OG&E, Guthrie Public Schools (teacher's aide), and the Oklahoma Territorial Museum. She led an active life of volunteerism as well. She was a founding member of the Town and Country Extension Homemakers Club, served on the Logan County Fair Board, was a Cub Scout den mother, supported historical preservation, helped organize the Logan County Genealogy Society, and was active in PTA/PTO when her sons were in school. She and Ferdy were avid bowlers at Uptown Lanes and were well known for their gardening and landscaping skills. One of Esther's great passions was reading: She read at least one book a week from the time she was in grade school until just a few weeks before her passing. She was a member of the First Christian Church. Anyone who knew Esther knew that family was her top priority. She was proud of her sons and was much loved by her relatives and in-laws.

Esther was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her son, Dale Waner; and her brother, Larry E. Williams. She is survived by her sons Elden Waner and wife Shirley, and W.K. (Kip) Stratton and wife Luscaine; her brother Lennit Ray Williams and wife Sharron; her grandchildren Susan Savory and husband Rick, Carla Lynn Brown and husband Ken, Kelli Shafer Yadon and husband Craig, Justin Mays and wife Lindsay, and Kim Blankenship and husband Alan. She is also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews,  great grandchildren and one great great granddaughter. She had many dear friends in Guthrie whom she loved as well.

Esther took COVID seriously and would not have wanted a funeral during the current spike. A memorial service will be announced sometime after the first of the year. There will be a public viewing on Friday, December 4, 2020 from 9:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. at Hayes Funeral Home in Guthrie. Interment will be at Summit View Cemetery.

Services are under the direction of Hayes Funeral Home.

Friends and family may sign the online guestbook at www.hayesfh.com .