Floyd Hilbert Coulson was the oldest of 11 children born to Floyd Elmer and Lillie Louella (Cathey) Coulson. He passed from this life at the age of 95 years, 2 months and 22 days on Sunday, December 11, 2022, surrounded by his children. He was born south of Cestos, OK on September 19, 1927, and he lived his entire childhood nearby. A few days before his third birthday Polio struck him affecting his left leg and foot, but this never slowed him down. At around five years of age, Hilbert suffered another setback when he was kicked and injured by a horse. These events necessitated a life of grit and perseverance. He attended a one-room school in Union School District near his home. When the walk to school became too difficult, brothers Bill and John Salisbury would carry him on their backs. They stayed close friends for life. He attended Union until he graduated eighth grade. As a young kid he milked, plowed and fed animals not only for his family but also would hire out to the neighbors.

Hilbert married Eileen Alberta Hickman, November 6, 1947 at Canadian, TX, with their mothers Jennie Hickman and Louella Coulson as witnesses. Their first home was on the Aldridge Homestead southwest of Cestos. A few years later, they relocated to the Fred Hickman place south of Cestos where they lived when their sons were born. Three children were born to this union, Francis Hilbert in 1948 and Jerry Lynn in 1949. In 1951, Hilbert moved the family to the Remmele farm north of Vici, OK, and continued to farm and hire out to the neighbors to run combines and tractors. In 1953, he went to work for Woodward County doing road maintenance. His jobs included running dump trucks, motor graders, dozers, and loaders. He helped build and blacktop several county roads in the area until 1957. While working for Woodward County, a daughter, Deena Jo, was born in 1954 to complete the family. In the fall of 1957, he went to work for G.O. Williams Co. at Sharon, OK, delivering fuel to full-service stations and many farmers in the Seiling, Taloga, Vici, Sharon, Harmon, Laverne, Mooreland and Woodward areas, all while still farming and milking cows daily. In October 1958, he sold his cows and farm machinery and bought a home ½ mile east of Vici where he continued to raise his family. This was their first home with modern conveniences.

In January 1961, Hilbert and Eileen purchased the Champlin Service Station in Vici, which they ran successfully until they retired in November, 1980. They worked side by side daily in the business which included full-service fuel, oil changes, flats, car maintenance, and washing and detailing vehicles. When they bought the station, the gas price was 29.9 cents per gallon, high quality oil sold for 45 cents per quart, and they fixed flat tires for 50 cents each. Hilbert and Eileen had customers that came from Seiling, Taloga, Webb, Mutual, Sharon, and Vici because of the service they provided. When a school bus would stop after school and let the kids come into the station to buy candy and pop for the ride home, he would make sure even the kids that didn't have money left with candy and pop, too. Every kid received a candy or pop when their parents stopped and bought gas. Hilbert and Eileen's grandchildren vividly remember the icy cold bottle of pop from the pop machine, candy on the shelves, and cigar boxes they used to store their school supplies.

After retirement from the station, he helped each of his children build their first homes, doing whatever jobs needed to be done. They traveled many miles supporting their grandkids in whatever sport or event they were participating in at the time. Every score was recorded in his 2"x3" pocket notebook. Each grandkid always received a few dollars for the concessions stand as a reward for good effort. He was delighted if his son or son-in-law needed him to run a tractor or help build fence. He was the boss of harvest until his bad Polio leg would no longer let him. Then he would advise from a five-gallon bucket seat. He knew how the auger was running by sound and knew when it was starting to act up, always ready to make repairs.

In 2011, Hilbert was inducted into the Dewey County Historical Society Hall of Fame. He was elated that his grandson, Marty Coulson, was able to speak at the event on his behalf.

Hilbert and Eileen celebrated 62 years of marriage. He was a dedicated husband, being at the nursing home every day with Eileen from 2003 until she passed away in 2009, except when he had open heart surgery and could not be with her. Realizing it was getting hard to stay in his own home, Hilbert decided to move to the Vici Nursing home in August 2013. At the nursing home, he helped many residents that needed assistance, from prepping with bibs to cutting food at his table. He would drive his electric wheelchair through the streets of Vici to attend family functions. He would also jump in a vehicle with a family member to attend ball games, revisit family homesteads, drive around the county to see new developments, and enjoy family gatherings and holiday celebrations at the homes of his children and grandchildren. He was able to celebrate some big birthdays - with special celebrations on his 90th and 95th birthdays - where he was humbled to see several of his life accomplishments celebrated through picture slideshows and memorabilia. Nothing made him happier than being with family, rehearsing stories, and imparting wisdom. Hilbert had a sharp mind and loved to visit. He lived a life of integrity before us all.  He will be forever missed.

Hilbert is preceded in death by his wife, Eileen Hickman Coulson, parents Floyd and Louella Cathey Coulson, parents-in-law Fred and Jenny Sheets Hickman, daughter-in-law Phyllis Rider Coulson, grandson James Louthan, great granddaughter Serenity Cunningham, siblings, Dale Coulson, Wanda Clayton, Donna Johnson, Arvetta Coulson and 3 infant siblings.

Hilbert is survived by son Francis Coulson of Wellston, OK, son Jerry Coulson and wife Mary of Vici, OK, daughter Deena Louthan and husband Ralph of Seiling, OK, grandchildren Janna Walker and husband Jeff of Lubbock, TX, Marty Coulson and wife Keri of Wellston, OK, Amy Cunningham and husband Jeff of Vici, OK, Arlan Coulson and wife Noelle of Rogers, AR, Monty Coulson and wife Darla of Wellston, OK, Angela Shuck and husband Dustin of Edmond, OK, and Alicia Ellis and husband Dusty of Seiling, OK.

Great Grandchildren Evan Green and wife Chelsea, Hallie Walker, Savannah Walker, Chelsea Eischen and husband Jonathan, Courtney Murphy and husband Christopher, Jackson Cunningham and wife Destiny, Connor Cunningham and wife Autumn, Tyler Coulson, McKinley Medlin and husband Michael, Maddox Coulson, McKoy Coulson, Darcy, Koen and Wrigley Shuck, Falynn, Korbyn and Emery Ellis, Mason Louthan, great great grandchild Jonathan Dale Eischen.

Siblings, Nita Dryden and husband Chuck "Bud", Judy Prophater, Renee Turner and husband Paul, sister-in-law Marlene Coulson.

Memorials may be made to the

Riley Cemetery

or the Vici Fire Department

C/O Shaw Funeral Home

P.O. Box 276, Vici, OK 73859.