Royce Oland Weddle
Jun 20, 1941 - Sep 8, 2013
Posted by: Janet Laubhan Flickinger

http://www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com/

Retired Lieutenant Royce Oland Weddle passed from this life on September 8, 2013 at his home in Norman. 

He was born on June 20, 1941 in Ardmore, OK to parents Joe and Edna Weddle. 

Weddle Graduated from Noble High School in 1959.   Weddle then worked road construction until joining the Oklahoma National Guard in 1962.  During his tenure with the Oklahoma National Guard (’62-’68), Weddle earned rating of “Expert” with rifle and handgun and was top qualifier on the company’s small bore rifle team.  While on Active reserve with National Guard in 1963 he joined Norman Police Department as patrolman.  Weddle was promoted to Sergeant in 1968 and then to Lieutenant in 1973.  As a gunsmith during his last 10 years (’73-’83) at Norman PD, Weddle built and maintained firearms for NPD SWAT Team and the NPD Pistol Team.  Weddle retired from the Norman Police Department after 20 years of service in February of 1983. 

Weddle trained at the National F.B.I. Academy in Quantico, VA, Smith & Wesson Gunsmith School and Murray State College Police Gunsmith School. 

As a member of the Norman Police Department Pistol Team from ’65-’83, Weddle won the annual Oklahoma National Rifle Association Police Revolver Championship 14 out of 20 years participated; won five N.R.A. Regional Police Combat Revolver Championships; in 1975 won U.S. N.R.A. National Police Department Revolver Championship, Jackson, MI; 1977 won with a record-setting score the National Shooters League National Championship, Laramie, WY; 1979 captain of winning 4-man team in the municipal category of N.R.A. National Pistol Championship; placed four consecutive years (’81-’84) in the Bianchi Cup Invitational N.R.A. Action Pistol Championship.  After retirement Weddle continued shooting competitively and won awards in many other local, regional and state matches over the years.  He continued working until recently with his business, Weddle’s Custom Guns. 

In his retirement, Weddle was an avid gardener, enjoyed fishing, hunting and working on any kind of machine he could find.  He was a collector of many things, an enthusiastic hobbyist and most of all enjoyed spending time with his family including five grandchildren. 

He is survived by wife Cheryl of 41 years; son Danny and wife Shelby of Norman; son Michael and wife Melinda of Norman; daughter Dana of Los Angeles, CA.  Also survived by brother Charles Weddle and wife Marilyn of Davis Junction, IL; sister Sandra Kent and husband Frank of Noble, Ok; sister Glenda Crossen of Vallejo, CA; sister Anna Hackney and husband Hall of Cameron Park, CA; mother-in-law Mary Hambleton of Norman; grandchildren Samuel Royce, Marcus Zachary, Claire Gabrielle, Phoenix Oliver and Chloe Peyton all of Norman. 

Preceded in death by parents Joe Boyd and Edna Irene Weddle; brother James Kenneth Weddle; father-in-law Edgar Hambleton. 

Arrangements for Royce and his family were placed in the care of the Vice family at the Havenbrook Funeral Home of Norman.

Visitation will be held at Havenbrook Funeral Home, 3401 Havenbrook St. on Thursday, September 12, 2013 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the family present to receive guests from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 

Funeral Services will be held 2:00 p.m., Friday, September 13, 2013 at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1289 Northcliff Ave. Norman, Oklahoma.  Interment to follow services at Noble IOOF Cemetery in Noble, Oklahoma. 

Online condolences may be shared at HavenbrookFuneralHome.com

Thank You For Your Service!