W.W. "Bill" Flanagan

April 5, 1924 ~ Octoober 31, 2010

© Holmes Coffey Murray Funeral Home

Submitted by: TD

 

W. W. (Bill) Flanagan, beloved son, husband, father, and grandfather, died on October 31, 2010, at the age of 86 years, 6 months, and 26 days in Durant, Oklahoma, after a courageous fight against cancer. Bill was born on April 5, 1924, to Bill and Lillian Smith Flanagan in Krum, Texas. He graduated from high school in Roanoke, Texas in 1942 and then went to work for Dallas Linen Supply. On August 8, 1942, he married Margie Lee Webster in Dallas, Texas, and in May 1944 their son, William Spencer, was born.

Bill served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1943 to 1945. He was stationed in Texas, California, and the Philippine Islands during his military service in World War II. When Bill returned from overseas, he and Margie and Billy moved to Oklahoma City, where he worked for Capital Towel Supply. In 1951 Bill became a trooper for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and he began his life’s work. Bill was respected by all who knew him as a fair and honest enforcer of the law. He and Margie made many friends everywhere they lived. Bill was stationed at Lawton, Oklahoma, beginning in 1951. In August 1954 Bill and Margie had a second son, Kent Ray. In 1958 Bill was transferred to Walters, Oklahoma, where he served until 1968. At that time Bill was promoted to supervisor and moved to Troop E in Durant, Oklahoma, where he became troop commander and then completed his 33 years of service with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol in 1984. During his service to the OHP he was one of six troopers named Trooper of the Year in 1964. Bill was also directly involved in the Caddo shootout in Caddo, Oklahoma, in 1978 during which three troopers lost their lives. He had the respect of everyone he met, and his honesty, character, and integrity was evident each day of his life.

Bill was predeceased by his parents, his brother Wallace Ray Flanagan of South Lake, Texas, and his beloved wife of 62 years, Margie.

He is survived by his sons, William S. Flanagan and wife Patricia of Yukon, Oklahoma, Kent R. Flanagan and wife Susan of Durant, Oklahoma; five grandchildren and their spouses: Spencer and Jill Flanagan of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Jeanne and Jason Pennington of Tuttle, Oklahoma, Trevor and Becki Flanagan of Yukon, Oklahoma, Kent Ray Flanagan, Jr. and Becka of Sherman, Texas, and James Aaron Flanagan and Heather of Sherman, Texas; and six great-grandchildren: Samantha Flanagan of Sherman, Texas, Shelby Pennington and Delaney Pennington of Tuttle, Oklahoma, T.J. Flanagan II and Drake Flanagan of Yukon, Oklahoma, and Brecklyn Flanagan of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Family hour will be Wednesday, November 3, 2010, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Coffey-Murray-Holmes Funeral Home in Durant. Funeral services will be conducted at the United Methodist Church, Calera, Oklahoma, on Thursday, November 4, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Arbuary Ritter officiating. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol Honor Guard will serve as pallbearers. Interment will be at the Highland Cemetery, Durant, Oklahoma.

Thank You For Your Service!