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© Holmes Coffey Murray Funeral Home
Submitted by: Terry Dudley
William (W.A.) Bourne, a long time Agriculture Education instructor in Bryan County, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather and devoted follower of his Lord Jesus Christ, left this life May 1, 2020, at the age of 88. Because of the current Covid-19 concerns,a private graveside service will be held with an announcement of a memorial service to be made at a later date. Holmes~Coffey~Murray Funeral Home in Durant is providing for the internment with the final resting place in Highland Cemetery.
William Albert Bourne was born in Pirtle, Oklahoma, to William McKinley Bourne and Maggie Jewel Jamison Bourne on August 16, 1931.He married the love of his life Remona Hughes on December 19, 1953, in Tishomingo, Oklahoma. William was an active member of the Armstrong Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon for many years, and an active Agriculture Instructor working with his students as well asmany other students in Bryan County. He was an active farmer raising numerous crops and livestock. Born and raised in Bryan County, his first Agriculture teaching job was at Cobb High School where he was a graduate. After graduatingfrom Cobb High School, he joined the Oklahoma National Guard and enrolled at Murray State College. Before he finished his first semester, the 45th National Guard Division was mobilized to Korea where he served as a heavy tank operator. Upon returning to Oklahoma, he enrolled in Murray State College and completed his associate degree. He then transferred to Oklahoma A&M College, later renamed Oklahoma State University, to complete his Agriculture Education Degree. He also obtained a Masters Degree in Agriculture Education from Oklahoma A&M.
As an Agriculture Instructor, or Vo-Ag Teacher, he taught Vo-Ag at Cobb and later Caddo High Schools. He was well known as a specialist in training students in land judging. He not only trained his students but also 4-H and FFAstudents across Bryan county.
He had a love of pecan trees. He trained many students and adults the fine art of grafting pecantrees and enjoyed teaching grafting workshops in Bryan County. He and his wife started a peach orchard and for many years was known as a must-stop for fresh peaches.
Mr. Bourne was very active community member.He was instrumental in starting the Caddo Roundup Club, where he and his students built the Caddo Roundup club arena. With his leadership the original Durant farmer’s market was established. He provided the inspiration and much of the labor to build the Cobb community building. He served as a member of the Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief Association where he served as a member of the chainsaw crew, responding to several disasters, including Hurricane Katrina.
Mr. Bourne is survived by his cherished children, Arnold Bourne of Durant, Oklahoma, Deborah Layton and husband Steve of Durant, Oklahoma, Mike Bourne and wife Carla of Atoka, Oklahoma, Terry Bourne and wife Lynette of Durant, Oklahoma, and Robert Bourne and wife Penny of Durant, Oklahoma; William was very proud of his10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.
Mr. Bourne was preceded in death by his wife Remona Bourne; his parents William and Maggie Bourne; brother Charley and wife Arita Pierot Bourne; daughter-in-law Lori Honigsberg Bourne.
Services are under the direction of Holmes~Coffey~Murray Funeral Home in Durant, Oklahoma www.holmescoffeymurray.com
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