Billie George McElhaney

Bill McElhaney went to be with the Lord on September 1 after a long battle with cancer. He was 88. He was born in Scipio, Oklahoma on November 24, 1926 and attended school in Ada and Byng. After graduating high school he joined the Army in the Philippines and served as a medic during World War II. During his time in the military he also attended accounting school. After being discharged in December 1947, he attended East Central State College and Black Wood Business College. On April 6, 1946 he married his high school sweetheart, Richdean Kennedy and they spent their life together for the next 70 years. They moved to Shawnee on December 31, 1949 and had two sons, Billie George McElhaney and Larry Dean McElhaney. He spent his work career at Sylvania and then at Tinker Air Force Base, where he supervised a large group responsible for aircraft maintenance. He was offered a job with the National Transportation Safety Board but decided to retire. He was also engaged in the oil and gas industry as a surveyor in his younger years, and on the production side later in life. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and received his 50th year pin in 2006. He was a firm believer in Jesus Christ, a member of Liberty Baptist Church for over 50 years, and served as a deacon. He started the weekly ‘Tuesday Boys’ Bible Study at his home many years ago, and became a mentor for many of those attending. He later found out that some of them had gone on to become preachers. Bill loved the Lord, loved to study the Bible daily, and was the happiest when he had someone to study with him, or to simply discuss the stories in the bible. Bill loved the little critters in his backyard as well. For his birthday and Christmas presents he’d ask for seeds to fill his birds and squirrels. One fierce, snowy winter he went outside in his long cowboy coat to feed them. He was a loyal friend to say the least. Bill and Richdean lost their two sons at ages 16 and 32 in accidents. He never got over the loss of his sons, but he was certain that he would see them again. He was like a grandfather to 5 great nephews later. Matthew, Cody, Kyle, Andrew and Chad, all have very fond memories of growing up with their Uncle Bill, ‘drinking candy and eating soda pop’ or picking up some ‘pizzer’ as he would put it. He was a kind soul, and will be missed by many. Services will be held at Rosedale Cemetery in Ada at 11:00 Tuesday. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Liberty Baptist Church, Integris Cancer Institute, or the American Cancer Society.