Funeral services for Willard George “Bill” Korver, 92, of Tulsa, OK, were held Saturday, April 5, 2025, at Beaver Street Baptist Church in Jenks, OK. Pastor Dan Korver officiated, and burial was in Beggs Cemetery in Beggs, OK. Casket bearers were Brian Korver, Jared Korver, Will Korver, Jason Hartog, Christopher Pitts and Nick Varner. Honorary Casket bearers were Brian Calvert, Errol Calvert, Richard Perryman and Jerry Woods.
Bill was born June 12, 1932, in Sioux County, IA, to William Martin Korver and Matilda (Muyskens) Korver. He passed away March 31, 2025, in Tulsa, OK.
He was the youngest boy in a family of 8 children. Of Dutch heritage, the family attended the Reformed Church. Audible bible reading followed every meal. Life was well ordered, and everyone worked hard. At age 15 Bill, who preferred to be called that, heard a message on hell and asked Jesus to save him. Bill was a teenager when he promised that if God gave him the opportunity, he would always sing for the Lord. This was a commitment he maintained even when asked to sing for a prominent political rally. He declined because of his earlier promise to only sing for Him. Bill loved music and enjoyed singing. He accepted many invitations to sing at weddings, funerals, and for the homeless at the John 3:16 mission. While on a work mission trip to India, he enjoyed singing at the orphanage for little boys. Bill married his sweetheart, Fran Hartog, when he was 19. Soon after, Fran was saved after listening to the Back to the Bible Radio broadcast. The couple began attending a small Baptist church, and Bill received the assurance of his salvation and was baptized by immersion. Bill drove for a long-distance trucking firm to support their growing family of 6 children. It was on such a trip that he was badly injured in a truck/car accident. With a fractured spine, he was told that he would never work again. God enabled him to regain much of his health and despite ongoing back pain, he supported his family until retirement. He loved to praise God in song. For the past 20 years, Bill served as Minister of Music at Dalton Hill Baptist Church, and was accompanied by his wife, Fran. Appropriately, Bill’s final evening on earth was a time of family worship. He was surrounded by loved ones, singing his favorite songs. When the song, It Is Well With My Soul was sung, Bill’s strong singing voice returned as he joined in the chorus, robustly. It was his way of reassuring all of us, where he is today. The song service continues—now he is singing in Heaven with his granddaughter Abigail and all the redeemed.
He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Fran Korver; children, Bruce Korver and wife, Margaret, Michele Johnson and husband, Dale, Daniel Korver and wife, Jean, Nancy Varner, Bill Korver and wife, Marcia, and Margi Pitts and husband, Wallace; 17 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.,br>
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Matilda Korver; and granddaughter, Abigail Korver.
Memorial donations in Bill’s memory may be made to: Carolina College of Biblical Studies, c/o Abigail Frances Korver Scholarship Fund, 817 S McPherson Church Rd., Fayetteville, NC 28303 or Dalton Hill Baptist Church, c/o Missionary Fund, 8263 N Owasso Expressway, Ste B, Owasso, OK 74055.
Arrangements and services were entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home, Sperry.
Online condolences to the family can be made at johnsonsperry.com.
