Services for Bill Blair will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, July 9, 2012, at Reed-Culver Chapel, with Pastor Loyd Kester officiating.
Interment will follow at Tahlequah City Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Reed-Culver Funeral Home of Tahlequah.
Pallbearers for Bill include his grandsons, Jimmy Davis, Jason Blair, Christopher Blair, Dustin Goodnight, Billy Blair, Bryan Justin Goodnight, Chris Blair, John Blackman, Austin Blair, and Brandon Malone. Honorary pallbearers include Boyd Hamby, L.D. Drywater, Mike Rousey, Rudy Briggs, Clay Mahaney, Charley Batt, Brass Breshears, Norman Fisher, and Bill's buddy, Bill Barrington, who precedes him in passing.
Billie Blair, or Bill to his friends, was born on May 8, 1936 in Cookson, the son of Jesse Thomas and Katie (Evans) Blair.
Upon completing school, Bill decided on a lifetime of public service and became a law enforcement officer. He served the city of Tahlequah for 20 years, and after retiring served the Cherokee County Sheriff's Department, and finally the Stilwell police.
Bill loved people. He never met a stranger, and loved to chat with every friend he met.
He was our family chef, and made the best brisket, steaks, and chicken and dumplings, and hosted a big cookout every New Year's Day.
He enjoyed a day spent hunting, fishing, and being out of doors. He liked to curl up with his blue heeler, his baby, Tasha, and watch wrestling every chance he got. He loved his horses.
He was a proud member of the Fraternal Order of Police and a member of the Carter Mountain Church.
Bill will be remembered for the love and devotion he had for his family; they were the most important part of his life.
Bill lived for a family gathering. He adored his wife, his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Bill passed from this life on July 4, 2012 in Tulsa, with his family by his side. Bill was 76 years old.
His smile and laughter will be greatly missed by those he cherished and loved and those who called him friend.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents; his second wife, Luada Mae “Luki” Blair in 1984; his brothers, Jesse, Jack, Tom and George Blair; and three sisters, Christine Blair, Eliza Ussery, and Perle Sissons.
Those left to cherish Bill's memory include C.J., his loving wife since 2003; Barbara West, the mother of his children; six beloved children, Rickie Blair and wife Kim of Keys, Billy Blair and wife Denise of Tahlequah, Tim Blair and wife Paula of Savannah, Tenn., Vickie Goodnight of Bunch, Lisa Blackman of Bunch, and Ray Eugene Cochran, son of Luada Mae, of Claremore. He leaves behind two brothers and four sisters, Levi Blair of Sallisaw, Lucy Allen of Fort Gibson, Bob Blair and wife, Bertha, of Tahlequah, Cherokee Beatty and husband, Jim, of Keys, Ester Watkins of Peggs, and Margaret Nixon of Broken Arrow. Bill's legacy lives on in his 21 grandchildren, Christopher, Jason, Cassie, Paige, Savannah, Jimmy, Billy, Tracy, Jamie, Austin, Timmy, Mandy, Brandon, Audrey, Christopher, Dustin, Bryan Justin, Kristen, Shelbi, John, Blair, and Natasha; and 27 great-grandchildren, and three more on the way, as well as many, many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones.
Those wishing to send condolences are asked to consider St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000. Dept 142. Memphis, Tenn. 38148-0142.
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