William M. "Bill" Grimes

William M. “Bill” Grimes, 84, of Dewey died Wednesday in Bartlesville. Bill was born the son of William A. and Margaret (Wilson) Grimes on March 21, 1931, in Corbin, KY. He was raised in Arp, TN, graduating from Ripley High School in 1950. From an early age Bill had the gift of song and, beginning at age two, used his talent to sing at church. Bill developed his singing ability by taking voice lessons through adulthood. Bill attended Memphis State for a semester before joining the U.S. Air Force in 1951. He received his basic training in Biloxi, MS, and was assigned to Bartlesville at Radar Hill for the rest of his military career. On Sept. 13, 1951, while attending a YMCA dance Bill met the love of his life Connie Higginbotham and they were united in marriage on Jan. 6, 1952, in Iola, KS. After Bill’s honorable discharge in 1954 he attended business college before starting his 38 year career as a federal reporting supervisor with Phillips Petroleum Co. Bill and Connie moved to Grove for several years before relocating to Dewey in 2009. Bill had many passions in life and was active in the community using both his talents and his time to help others. He used his gift of singing to glorify the Lord. He enjoyed sailing and racing Hobie Cats, coaching while his kids were young and judging girl's gymnastics at the Phillips gymnastics center. He was physically active and enjoyed archery and running. He was a good father and provider for his family and a member of the American Legion as well as the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR). Bill is survived by his loving wife Connie of the home; two children Cindy Lynn Blake and Brent of Lenexa, KS, and Mike Grimes and Robi of Wann, OK; six grandchildren, Stacy Miller and Aaron, Tiffany Arnold and Rusty, Abbey Grimes, Carter Grimes, McKinley Grimes, and Laura Davito; and six great grandchildren, Olivia, Kennedy, Blake, Avery Grace, Beck and Vera. He is preceded in death by his parents and one sister Betty Stone. Bill’s family will receive friends at the Davis Family Funeral Home, 918-534-3030, 113 S. Osage (Hwy. 75), Dewey, on Friday, June 26, from 6-8 p.m. In Lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Bartlesville Salvation Army, 101 N Bucy Ave, Bartlesville, Ok 74003. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 27, 2015, at the Dewey United Methodist Church, with Rev. Dale Durnell officiating. Military honors will be provided by the James H. Teel American Legion Post 105 Honor Guard. Services are under the direction of Carter Davis and the Davis Family Funeral Home. Online condolences and remembrances may be shared with Bill’s family at www.DavisFamilyFuneralHome.com.

William M. "Bill" Grimes

March 21, 1931 - June 24, 2015