Henry Lucia Wartley

Funeral Services at First Baptist Church, Temple, Friday, September 18, 2026 at 1:00 p.m., Rev. Willie B. Smith officiating with burial in the Temple Cemetery. Visitation at Hart-Wyatt Funeral Home, Temple, on Thursday evening from 5-7:00 p.m.

SGM Henry Lucia Wartley, Ret. was born to Lewis and Fannie Mae (Moore) Wartley on December 16, 1942 in Evergreen, Conecuh Co., AL and departed this life in Lawton, Comanche Co., OK, on September 10, 2026 at the age of 83 years, 8 months and 25 days.

Henry grew up in Evergreen, AL, graduating from Conecuh County High School. He later received his associate’s degree from Mid-American Christian University. He entered the United States Army, serving his country honorably for 28 years, achieving the rank of Sergeant Major.

After basics, Henry served in Germany and then returned to Temple, TX, where he met Christine Tisdale who was visiting her aunt there at the time. They married June 2, 1973, in Wichita Falls, TX. They made their home in Temple, TX, then Germany, returning to her hometown of Temple, OK where the family stayed while Henry returned to Germany alone this time. Upon his return the family moved to Lawton from 1982-1987. They made the move back to Temple, OK in 1987 and he retired in 1988. Henry soon hired on with Civil Service, working as a director of logistics at Fort Sill for several years. The couple returned to Lawton in November of 2025.

Henry was an active member of Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in Temple, serving as Head Deacon for many years. He loved studying God’s Word, preaching, teaching and singing. He enjoyed fishing and playing cards and dominoes. Henry served on the Temple City Council and was Mayor of Temple for a time.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Fannie Wartley; 8 brothers and sisters, Willie Lee Johnson, Earnestine Hawkins, Bernice Roberts, Lewis Wartley Jr., John Wartley, Gordine Wartley an infant, Lawrence Larry Wartley, and Tommy Lee Wartley; and 2 grandchildren, Deshon Wartley and Jeremiah Brathwaite.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Christine Wartley of the home; 5 children, Phil Wartley and Meighan of Edmond, Stephanie Holden and Tyrone of Lawton, Stephen Wartley of Temple, Lashonda Brathwaite and Timothy of Edmond, Christopher Wartley and Kendi of Cache, OK; a brother, Cleo L. Wartley, Sr. and Thelma of Midway, GA; 23 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, other relatives and a host of friends.