William Ray Horvath

William Ray Horvath better know to his friends and family as Bill was born April 3, 1938 in Highcoal, West Virginia to John and Edith Marie Horvath. As a young child the family moved to Cleveland, Ohio where he was raised and received his education. He later graduated high school in Cleveland, Ohio and after graduation he was employed as an automobile painter. On August 2, 1958 Bill was united in marriage to his wife Carol Rosalie Mitchell. After their marriage they remained in Cleveland, Ohio and raised their two children Kenneth Ray and Rosalie Carol. In 1972 Bill moved his family to Tulsa, Oklahoma where he enrolled at Spartan School of Aeronautics in the avionics repair program. In 1974 Bill graduated with an Associates Degree in Avionics Repair. During his time at Spartan Bill entered a contest in the General Avitation News magazine to rename a jet. To his surprise he won the contest and Alantic Aviation Corporation changed the name from 1123 Commodore business jet, and used the name that Bill entered Westwind now naming the jet 1123 Westwind.

Upon his graduation Bill accepted employment with Pennant Aviation which soon became Butler Aviation as an certified avionics repairman. In 1979 Bill and Carol moved to the Keystone area on Lake Keystone. In 1982 Bill retired and remained active working in his yard and other hobbies that included rebuilding cars, playing golf as well as his love for airplanes. They remained in the Keystone area until they finished their current home in Mannford in 2000. Bill was a perfectionist and would help anyone at anytime he was also very supportive of his family and the careers that they chose.

Bill passed away Thursday, January 29, 2004 in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 65 years 9 months and 26 days. He was preceded in death by his parents as well as his Teacup Poodle Teddy.

Survived by his wife of over 45 years Carol Horvath of the home; children, Kenneth Ray and his wife Michelle Horvath of Brandon, Mississippi and Rosalie Carol and her husband David Stallcup of Tulsa, Oklahoma; five grandchildren, Lynn Renae Stallcup, Dana Ray Stallcup, Rachel Nicole Horvath, Tyler Hill Stallcup, and Sarah Marie Horvath, and his Teacup Poodle Teena Marie Peaches.

Memorial services will be held at a later time at the home of Bill and Carol with services arranged by Chapman-Black Funeral Home, Inc. of Cleveland, Oklahoma.

Visit an online guest book, video tribute and obituary for Bill Horvath at www.chapman-black.com.