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Billy Ross Blankenship

Warren Cemetery Photo
Norman, Cleveland County, Oklahoma

Photo © by: Jan Fendley

Obit posted by Janet Laubhan Flickinger

http://www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com/

Word was received on April 18, 2012 from Kabul, Afghanistan of the passing of Billy Ross Blankenship of Norman, Oklahoma.

He was working in Kabul as a contractor for Intelligence Software Solutions, Inc. of Colorado Springs, Colorado at the time of death.  He was 43.  Bill was born to Dona Mae and Leonard Billy Blankenship on October 3, 1968 in Charlotte, North Carolina, the oldest of three children.  The family moved to Bethany, Oklahoma where Bill attended school, graduating from Bethany High School in 1986.  His senior year he joined the Air Force Reserves, 507 Tactical Fighter Group.  He enlisted in the United States Army (Infantry) in 1989, serving four years on active duty.  Bill continued serving his country as a citizen soldier in the 45th Infantry Brigade, Oklahoma National Guard in Oklahoma City, and in May 2005 he transferred to the 75th Training Brigade of the US Army Reserves at Fort Sill.  He attended Officer Candidate School and was commissioned in 2001.  He was a CPT in the Army Reserves at the time of his passing.

Bill received a BS in Information Technology in 2007.  Although Bill worked many years for the US Postal Service as a Database Analyst, his first love beyond his family was serving his country.  Before leaving active duty he served in Desert Storm from 1990-91.  He was mobilized for Operation Enduring Freedom in 2003 and served until 2010.  When he returned to his civilian job with the Postal Service he continued to service in the Reserves, because first and foremost, he was a Soldier.  He served his country with love and devotion, receiving many awards and honors.

Bill left the Postal Service in the fall of 2011 to work as a contractor in Afghanistan, continuing to perform his duties as a Reservist even there.  Working for the ISS gave him the perfect opportunity to combine his knowledge and exceptional skills in software systems to continue to serve his country.

Bill is survived by his wife, Melissa of the home; four children, Billy Ross Blankenship, II and Natasha Blankenship of Moore, Christopher Rascoe and Victoria Griego of the home; his mother, Dona Blankenship of Bethany; his father, Leonard of Oklahoma City; sister, Ruth Rayner and her husband Kirk and their two sons, Anthony and Benjamin of Edmond; brother, Larry Blankenship and wife Monique and their son, Jonathon and daughter, Autumn of Edmond; aunts, uncles, cousins and countless friends.

A memorial fund has been established for Billy's family at any Arvest Bank location.  Memorials may be sent to the Wounded Warrior Program or Folds of Honor so that he can continue to serve his country and comrades through your gifts.  He will be missed.  Visitation will be held 9:00 am – 8:00 pm, Friday, April 27, 2012 with the family greeting friends from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm at Havenbrook Funeral Home.  Services will be held 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 28, 2012 in the Chapel of the Havenbrook Funeral Home with interment following in Warren Cemetery of Norman.  Arrangements for Billy and his family were placed in the care of the Vice Family at Havenbrook Funeral Home of Norman.  Online condolences may be shared at www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com

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