Billy Dean Almack, formerly of Blackwell, Oklahoma, died Sunday, January 15, 2012, in the Jack C. Montgomery Veterans Hospital in Muskogee, Oklahoma, at the age of 82 years.

Billy Dean Almack was born on May 25, 1929, in Blackwell, Oklahoma, to Archie C. and Emily Bly (Thompson) Almack. He grew up in Blackwell attending Blackwell Public School graduating from Blackwell High School. Following his education he entered the United States Navy in 1950, where he was stationed in the San Diego, California, training center and participated on the Navy wrestling team for two years. He was a participant in the Olympic try-outs in 1952 where he won in the semi finals at 125.5 lbs. He then traveled to Arms, Iowa, for the finals where he was beaten by a Japanese wrestler by the score of 3-2. The Japanese went on to win the Olympics. Following the Olympics he was stationed in Washington aboard the Yorktown Carrier. It was on a Thanksgiving holiday he spent at his cousin’s home in Pinole, California, where he met his future wife Shirley Ann Brockman of Round Mountain, California. In May of 1954 he was discharged from the Navy and on June 5, 1954, he married Shirley and they made their home in Blackwell where he began working for the Kay County District 3 for thirteen years. He later worked as a pumper for Jenkins Oil Company. Upon his retirement they moved to Hodgen, Oklahoma, where they raised Emu birds and cattle. He loved spending time with his family, especially his great granddaughter who was the love of his life. He was also a member of the V.F.W. and the Disabled Veterans.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Shirley Ann Almack of Hodgen, Oklahoma; two sons, Billy Rees Almack of Houston, Texas, and Doyle Dean Almack of Wichita, Kansas; seven grandchildren, Amber Almack of Sarasota, Florida, Jacob Almack, Neil Almack, and Russell Almack all of Houston, Texas, Nathan Almack of Hodgen, Oklahoma, Michell Ann Logston of Blackwell, Oklahoma, and Tonya Bly Almack of Blackwell, Oklahoma; six great grandchildren, Lydia Alexandra Logston, of Blackwell, Oklahoma, Emily Rose Logston of Blackwell, Oklahoma, Seasaidh Lynn Almack of Wichita, Kansas, Abigail Mae Almack of Wichita, Kansas, Nathaniel Almack of Wichita, Kansas, and Caleb Anthony Helems of Blackwell, Oklahoma.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Jimmy “Jake” Almack and Archie Dwayne Almack; and one sister, Rita Worthington.

Memorial services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 27, 2012, at the Roberts and Son Funeral Home Chapel with Ken Tinney, Bertha Magsam and Suzie Smith officiating.

A second memorial service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 28, 2012, at the First Pilgrim Baptist Church in Summerfield, Oklahoma.

In lieu of flowers, condolences may be made to the Almack Family, P.O. Box 66, Hodgen, Oklahoma 74939.