© Havenbrook Funeral Home
3401 Havenbrook Street
Norman, OK 73072
405-329-0101
(permission granted)

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Billy Ray Hames

November 26, 1958 ~ June 18, 2014

Billy Ray Hames, 55, of Norman passed away Wednesday, June 18, 2014. He was born November 26, 1958 in Norman, Oklahoma to Donald Charles Hames and Mary Sue Bowerman.

Billy was a Carpenter for the State of Oklahoma at Griffin Memorial Hospital before retiring in 2009 after thirty years of service. He served in the US Army and was honorably discharged in 1979. He began Martial Arts training in the 1970's in Shihan-Ryu Karate-do. As a skilled Martial Artist and competitor, Billy won many championships in Weapons Kata and became an expert. He trained with numerous instructors in Karate, JuJitsu and Kobudo. Billy was an expert with the sword, bo, sai and other Kobudo weapons. Billy was the head of the Hames Shihan-Ryu and Ju-Jitsu in Norman and produced several champions in both empty hand and weapons Kata competition. He studied the Japanese language at the University of Oklahoma and was fluent in both reading and writing Japanese. He was also the co-owner of the High Hopes Training Center in Norman, an equestrian stable. He enjoyed building jumps for the riders, building fences and all the maintenance that goes with owning a farm. He loved to practice target shooting and archery.

Billy was preceded in death by his brother, Charles "Chuck" Hames. He is survived by his parents; wife, Virginia; two sons, Curtis Hames and wife Amber of Enid, Oklahoma and Michael Hames of Norman, Oklahoma; step son, John Cottengim of Moore, Oklahoma; and one grandchild, Hannah Hames.

Memorial services will begin at 1:00 p.m., Monday, June 23, 2014 at the Church of Christ, 111 North Main Street in Noble.

Arrangements for Billy and his family were placed in the care of the Vice family at the Havenbrook Funeral Home of Norman. Online condolences may be shared at www.HavenbrookFuneralHome.com.