Dr. William T. Riddle

© Tahlequah Daily Press Tahlequah, Oklahoma July 19, 2011

Submitted by: Jo Aguirre

TAHLEQUAH — Services for Dr. William T. Riddle will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, at the Hart Funeral Chapel with Rev. Deron Spoo officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Special Olympics of Oklahoma. Interment will be in the Tahlequah City Cemetery. Services were entrusted to Hart Funeral Home in Tahlequah.

Dr. William T. Riddle, the son of Marion G. and Nannie Ethel (Smith) Riddle, was born Dec. 18, 1927, in Banty, and departed this life on July 16, 2011, in Tulsa, at the age of 83 years, 6 months and 28 days.

Bill was an adventurer and an entrepreneur, he took full advantage of life and spent every moment working hard to be the best he could be while always helping others throughout his journey. Dr. Riddle was capable of anything, and he did most everything and everything he did, he did with excellence.

After receiving his Doctorate of Education from Texas Tech, Dr. Riddle taught at Northeastern State University for more than 30 years and served as the director of Special Education, where he worked each day to improve the quality of life for others. This work continued as he became the head of research and development for Effective Teaching Learning Institute.

Not only was he an educated and accomplished man within the academic world, but also Dr. Riddle enjoyed soaring through the sky as a pilot for both business and pleasure. However, no matter how much Riddle enjoyed all of his other business ventures, there was one that drove his ambitions.

Owner of Will-R-Co Oil Co., Dr. Riddle was happiest outside and working with his oil wells, and he did so every day. The only thing that would not even begin to compare with his love for the outdoors and oil, would be his family. Dr. Riddle was the head of a beautiful and loving family who enjoyed family gatherings almost weekly. Bill has been an inspiration and a hero to all who have met him.

There has never been a man alive like Bill Riddle. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him, and they will make sure that his stories and adventures will never cease to be shared throughout the generations. We are thankful that Bill Riddle left this world a better place than the one into which he was born.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Jesse Randell Riddle and Watson Riddle; and sister Evadna Marshall.

He is survived by a loving family, which includes his wife of more than 55 years, Joan Riddle of the home in Coweta; children, Dr. John Riddle of Lake Tahoe, Calif., Dr. Julie Riddle and husband Dr. David Miller of Tulsa, Jane Elkins and husband Rev. Jeff Elkins of Tulsa, Joan Miller-Henderson and husband Dr. Brent Henderson of Broken Arrow, and John Dyson of Fayetteville, Ark.; sisters, Juliene Quinn of Pleasant Hill, Calif., and Ethel Nickles of Cedar Hill, Texas; and 11 grandchildren. Many nieces, nephews, friends and other relatives also survive him.

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