William Michael Odom

William Michael Odom, Papa Mike, 82

William Michael Odom was born April 21, 1941 in San Angelo, Texas to Kitty Jo (Catherine Josephine Buck) and John William Odom. Mike’s dad was a test pilot in the United States Army and the family moved numerous times during his childhood including time in Africa, Florida, Wyoming, Oklahoma and Texas.

Mike’s career as an insurance underwriter began in Chicago, IL. He would eventually move to Charlotte, North Carolina and retired from Auto Owners at the age of 70. He loved North Carolina and has many friends there, especially Marvin and Diana Brown.

An avid runner, hurdler, and pole vaulter, Mike attended Southwest Texas State University on an athletic scholarship. As a student, he married Diane Helen Drobena and together they had three children, Danalynn Marie Davis, Ronald Dean, and Leslie Jean Winker. The family settled near Chicago, IL. 

Mike loved to fish, hunt, and was always at peace by the ocean, even when a family vacation was cut short by a hurricane.

He was preceded in death by his mother Kitty Jo, father John, brother William Rocky Odom, brother John William Odom, adoptive mother Coralee Odom, son Ronald, and the children’s mother Diane.

Mike is survived by his daughters Danalynn Davis, her husband Trey and Leslie Winker, her husband Jim, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren: William Richard “Willie” Pingry and Harley of Winona Minnesota; Roxanne Marie “Roxie” Pingry and Adam Leisen of Kellogg, Minnesota; Madelyn Mae “Maddie” and Eric Westerman of Crystal, Minnesota; Angelina Noel “Angel” and Arron Welch of Albert Lee, Minnesota; Nicolette, Natalie and Nylena Davis of Shawnee, Oklahoma; Zachariah Winker, wife Elizabeth and daughter Felicity of Dubuque, Iowa; Moriah Cropper, husband Sam and son Killian of Pearl City, Illinois; and five siblings, extended family and friends.

He attended St. John Lutheran Church in Shawnee.

Mike died calmly and peacefully at home surrounded by Danalynn, three granddaughters, and four dogs on Sunday, July 30, 2023. 

Our hearts are heavy as we commit his spirit into the loving arms of our creator God and savior Jesus Christ. May His light forever shine and HIs blessings gently flow from our family to yours.