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Billy Jack Zoldoske, 94, passed away peacefully at his home in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, on May 5, 2025. Born August 19, 1930, on the family farm in Masham, Oklahoma, he was the son of Leonard (Jack) and Hazel Zoldoske.
Bill graduated from Pawnee High School in 1948 and went on to earn his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Oklahoma State University (then Oklahoma A&M) in 1952. Later that year, on September 25, he joined the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Thanks to his accounting degree, he was stationed in Japan for 14 months, where his skills were needed most. He rose to the rank of Colonel, a source of great pride for him and his family.
On February 4, 1953, Bill married Allie Haynes, beginning a marriage full of devotion, laughter, and adventure. The couple shared a lifetime of travel and discovery, exploring much of Europe "including the Matterhorn of Switzerland" venturing up the Amazon River in South America, journeying through the South Pacific and Bali, traveling to Scandinavia, and even experiencing the wild beauty of an African safari. Together, they built a life full of love, faith, and joyful memories.
After returning from Japan, Bill worked briefly in Kansas for Shell Oil Company before beginning a 30-year career with Phillips Petroleum Company in Bartlesville as Director of State and Franchise taxes for the United States, where he worked from 1955 until his retirement in 1985.
Bill was a dedicated member of his community. He held the distinction of being both the longest-standing and oldest living member of East Cross Church in Bartlesville, where his faith was a foundation of his life. He also served for many years as the president of the Bartlesville Bank of Oklahoma Senior Center, where his leadership and generous spirit left a lasting impact.
He was a proud steward of his family's heritage and continued to own the original 80 acres of land claimed by his great-grandparents, Polish settlers who participated in the September 16, 1893 Cherokee Strip Land Run.
Bill is survived by his daughters, Glenna Young, M.D. (Mark Hampton), and Janna Denny (George Denny); his grandchildren Jenna, Jared, Andrea, and Jaclyn; and two great-grandchildren. His parents, his beloved wife Allie, his brother (Robert), and his sister (Aileen) preceded him in death.
Known for his unwavering kindness, his deep generosity, and a sense of humor full of the silliest (and most beloved) jokes, Bill was the kind of husband, father, grandfather, and friend who would do anything to make someone smile "or to help someone in need. His legacy is one of love, service, and laughter, and he will be missed beyond words.
A funeral service to celebrate Bill's life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, at East Cross Church in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. There will be a viewing on Friday, May 9, from 5-7 p.m. at Stumpff Funeral in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Services are under the direction of Stumpff Funeral Home.
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