Billy Ray Anderson © Enid News and Eagle 05-30-2019 Submitted by: Glenn
May 16, 1920 - May 27, 2019
Billy Ray Anderson, age 99, of Ponca City, Oklahoma passed away May 27, 2019.
A celebration of his life will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, June 1, 2019 at Trout Funeral Home & Crematory with Carolyn Rickner officiating. Bill will be laid to rest at Pond Creek Cemetery following the service.
Bill was born on May 16, 1920 in Talihina, Oklahoma to Bethel Eugene and Gertie Lee (Elliott) Anderson.
He was born into a large family he loved and cherished his entire life. The family lived in Talihina until Bill was 7. From there, they moved to Hominy, Oklahoma and then back to Talihina when he was 17. He loved horses and from an early age rode every chance he could. At just around 10 years old he jockeyed for local ranchers and horse owners at the weekend horse races held just outside of town. Bill developed a strong work ethic as a young man and was willing to take on any job available to contribute to his family during difficult times. He broke horses, worked fields with a mule team, cut fire lanes through the hills around Talihina, and once dug a water well and lined it with stone, all by hand.
Bill married the love of his life, Katherine Bell on February 28, 1942 in Talihina. He was called to report to the Army Air Corp in support of World War II. After a stop in Africa, he was deployed to an air base in India where he loaded and armed bombers and made long trips by train across India to restock arms. Upon his return home, Bill began working in the oil fields. He and Katherine had started their family in Ada Oklahoma and at $1.50 per hour for drillers and $0.90 for floor hands, the money was just too good to pass up. He went to work for Kirkpatrick & Bale Drilling and after a long and successful career he retired as a Tool Pusher from Wil-Mc Oil with 20 years of service.
They lived in Jefferson for 40 years before retiring in Ponca City. He and Katherine celebrated 60 years of marriage before she passed away in October, 2002. Bill stayed active throughout the rest of his life pursuing his interest in carpentry, cement work, Koi and his favorite, a 1954 Cadillac Coup de Ville.
His passing leaves a hole in our lives that only the memories of his genuine kindness, his generosity and his humor can fill.
In addition to the many friends Bill had, he leaves behind his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives.
Casketbearers will be Thomas Bell, Charles Wright, James Day, Joe Anderson, Blake Anderson, Phillip Anderson. Jason Cowherd and Bill Poppewell
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