William Benjamin Smith, Jr

Funeral services for William Benjamin ìBillî Smith, Jr. were held at 10:00 am, Wednesday, May 30, 2012 in the Chapel of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home with Gene Black officiating. He was eighty-nine years of age. Bill was born on August 2, 1922; the son of William Benjamin Smith, Sr. and Catherine (Jenkins) Smith. Bill was born in Denoya, Oklahoma and was raised in the Pawnee, Morrison, Burbank and the Terlton area. He attended and graduated from Terlton High School without missing a single day of school in his entire twelve years. The family moved to the Cleveland area in 1941. Bill and Ruth Comer were married on September 4, 1943. They were married by Rev. Littleton Fowler in the Methodist Pastor study with close family members present. They made their initial home in Ponca City as Bill worked for Conoco Oil, later returning to Cleveland when Bill accepted employment with Johnson Oil and Refinery. He worked there for nearly twelve years before the plant partially closed down and he was laid off. The family then moved to Cushing as Bill began working for Kerr-McGee. After six years, the family returned to Cleveland will Bill working nearly eighteen years in the oil business. Bill then went into business for himself. He operated a backhoe and dump truck service throughout the area for many years. Additionally the family worked together to build the Smithís Trailer Park, which they operated for sixteen years. Bill then retired and the couple moved to their home in Cleveland on East Caddo. The couple raised four children, William B Smith, III, Jerry Lynn, Darrell E. and Bonita R. in Cushing and Cleveland area. Bill was an avid sportís fan, especially baseball; he also enjoyed reading and traveling. Ruth and Bill traveled all over the United States, Mexico, Alaska, many Caribbean Islands, Europe and numerous trips to Hawaii. Bill passed away on Thursday, Mary 24, 2012 at the Cimarron Pointe Care Center in Mannford, Oklahoma at the age of eighty-nine. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Benjamin Smith, Sr. and Catherine Smith; son, Jerry Lynn Smith; five brothers, Paul of Skeedee, Orren (Bud) of Artesia, New Mexico, and three infant brothers; two half-sisters, Francis Allen of Sapulpa and Marie Oliver of West Virginia; sisters, Rosetta Mack of Amarillo, Texas and Jewel Denny of Oilton. Survivors are his wife, Ruth M. Smith of the home; daughter, Bonita Langley of Cleveland, Oklahoma; two sons, William B. Smith, III of Cleveland, Oklahoma and Darrell Eugene and Gayla Smith of Cleveland, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Lorne and Bryan Langley of Tulsa, Elizabeth Freuen of Oregon, Ashleigh Taber of St Johns, Florida, Sally Currington of Bixby, Joe Smith of Cleveland, Amber Aquliar of Cleveland, Laura Caldwell of Skiatook and Kaylynn Boling of Cleveland; eighteen great-grandchildren. Burial will be at the Woodland Cemetery under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home.