William H. Meade

William H. Meade, 89, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 12, 2016. Bill, as he was known, was born the son of Wiley and Ruby (Cooper) Meade on December 11, 1926, in Loyal, OK. He was raised and educated in Nowata and at the age of 15 Bill headed west to California to join the Merchant Marines where he helped to build the Liberty Ships designed by the U.S. Maritime Commission during World War II and nicknamed the “Ugly Ducklings” by President Franklin D. Roosevelt who observed that they carried a good load. Bill attended a trade school in Kansas City where he obtained his architectural degree. He then started his 35 year career with Phillips Petroleum Company in 1953. He had an idea that he presented in a development meeting for placing a covered awning directly over the pumps which soon became a reality. Bill was united in marriage with Jan Rose on November 12, 1982, in Tulsa. Once retired Bill and Jan moved to Claremore for the summers and were South Texas snowbirds for the next 20 years. Bill loved the Lord and attended First Christian Church in Claremore. He was a musician and enjoyed jamming on the accordion and harmonica with his friends especially in south Texas several times a week. He was an accomplished artist and drew portraits of the people around him - his favorite Braums Ice Cream Shop had a wall in the back dedicated to the drawings Bill drew of its employees. Bill and Jan enjoyed spending time together and he often said (with feeling) that he lived a good, long and happy life. Bill is survived by his wife Janila of the home; five children, Connie McDonald and William of Bartlesville, William B. Meade and Betty of Broken Arrow, Curt Meade of Bartlesville, Gentry Meade of Dallas, and Tyson Todd Meade of Oklahoma City; one step daughter Charissa Protzman of Tulsa; five siblings, Murrell Meade of San Diego, Naomi Littleton of Barnsdall, Ruby Winkler of Bartlesville, Harold Meade of Dewey, and Evelyn Meade of Bartlesville; three grandchildren, Bill A. Meade of Broken Arrow, Jackie Meade of Broken Arrow, and Curtiss Meade of Bartlesville; and two great grandchildren Mason and Meredith Meade of Broken Arrow. Bill is preceded in death by his parents, three siblings, LeRoy Meade, Leon Meade and Marie Hill, and one grandson Damon McMurtrie. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 12-8, at the Davis Family Funeral Home, 113 S. Osage (Hwy. 75), Dewey, OK. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. on Friday, July 15, at the Davis Family Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Jerry Book of the First Christian Church of Claremore officiating. Interment will follow at the Floral Haven Cemetery in Broken Arrow at 1:30 pm. 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 H. Meade

December 11, 1926 - July 12, 2016