Billy Ray Williams

Bill R. Williams passed away on December 30, 2020 in Sulphur, Oklahoma. Bill was born on November 12, 1927 to Willie (Bill) Albert Williams and Beatrice Ivey (Brown) Williams at their home in Dolberg, Oklahoma.

Bill attended school at Roff Public Schools. After graduation from high school, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Army on September 5, 1946. After basic training, he was sent to Occupied Japan where he served until his date of separation on January 31, 1948. While serving his country, Bill was awarded the Army of Occupation Medal – Japan and the World War II Victory Medal.

After leaving military service, Bill returned to the States. He married his high school sweetheart, Lovella (Peggy) Johnson in Seattle, Washington on February 7, 1948.

Bill and Peggy left the Seattle area after marriage and moved to Oklahoma to be closer to family. Bill eventually gained employment with the U. S. Forestry Service and was stationed in Custer, South Dakota. He and Peggy lived in South Dakota for several years. Upon the death of Bill’s dad, they moved back to Oklahoma so Bill could help his mother run the family farm. Bill eventually sold the family farm and made their home in Roff, Oklahoma. On November 1, 1954 Bill went to work for the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety as a Driver’s License Examiner. Bill became a Captain with the Driver’s License Division and was a supervisor over the southeastern district of Oklahoma. In 1969, the Driver’s License Division of the Department of Public Safety was merged with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Bill was promoted to the position of 1st Lieutenant of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. He retired from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol on April 1, 1985.

Bill was an avid hunter. He enjoyed taking daily walks and also loved his vacation travels with Peggy throughout the United States. He was a very social person and spent many afternoons playing dominoes with other Roff residents. He was a big fan of the Roff High School sports and attended many basketball and baseball games. Bill was a long-time member of the Roff First Baptist Church.

Bill is preceded in death by his wife, Peggy, his parents, one son, Forrest Albert Williams, and one sister, Wanda Jo Richardson.

Bill is survived by his daughter Cindy Williams Walkowski and her husband Joe, one son, Mark Williams and his wife Lisa. He is also survived by granddaughter, Whitney Gdanski and her husband David, granddaughter Taylor Jennings and her husband Nick, granddaughter Blaire Henderson and her husband Wacey, granddaughter Lauren Williams, grandson Jacob Williams and grandson Gunnar Williams. Surviving great grandchildren include Joel David Gdanski, Knox and Liam Jennings, Conner Williams and Saige Henderson.

A memorial service celebrating Bill’s and Peggy’s lives will be held at a future date.