Catoosa, Okla. - William Augustine Gerdes, 86, of Catoosa, died Wednesday, Aug. 15, 1990, at Tulsa.

He was born Aug. 8, 1904, in Munster, Texas, the son of Fred and Catherine Thiele Gerdes. He was raised in the Coffeyville area.

He worked at the Sinclair Oil Refinery Corporation, in Coffeyville, before joining the U.S. Navy in 1942. He served in the SeaBees during World War II and stayed in the Navy until 1964.

He was married to Zada Tweetee for 18 years and later was married to Patricia Young in 1949. She preceded him in death in May of this year.

Survivors include three daughters, Betty Long, Coffeyville, Hazel Knisley, Winterset, Iowa, and Ruth Eikenberry, Edna; two sons, Gene "Sonny" Gerdes, Alameda, Calif., and Billy Gerdes, Redding, Calif.; a stepson, Billie Sellman, Catoosa; a brother Bob Gerdes, Edna; three sisters, Loretta Carr, Chanute, Ks, Florence Longgreer, Pueblo, Colo., and Margaret Lowrance, Coffeyville; and a granddaughter. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, two infant children, a brother and a sister.

Funeral was Monday with burial in the Dick Duck Cemetery in Catoosa. Kennard Funeral Services, Catoosa, was in charge of arrangements.

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