JAMES WILLIAM CHRISTY
1951 - 2014
James William Christy, an avid sports fan, fisherman, grocery shopper and gambler, passed away August 24, 2014, in Edmond, Oklahoma.
Known to most as Jim Bill, he also had the nicknames Willie, Jim Willie and others left unmentioned.
He was born to Carl Jackson and Zelma Mae Baber Christy on June 9, 1951, in Chandler, Oklahoma.
Because he was the youngest of three boys, he didn’t have a choice but to be a fighter from the get-go. This persistent trait was needed in surviving a car wreck, which broke all his limbs before he was in grade school. He enjoyed playing ball and quail hunting but his greatest satisfaction was taunting his older brothers while they mowed lawn and used the weed sling {for the younger generation, this is now known as a weed eater} to cut grass out of the ditches. Jim Bill always said, "being mama's baby had its advantages."
He graduated from Wellston High School in 1969 as president of his senior class. Jim Bill, at 6'4", was a talented athlete who helped lead his basketball team to the state tournament.
He attended Chandler Baseball Camp, and later served as a counselor. Jim Bill went on to play college baseball at what was then called Central State University. He continued his love of baseball by coaching little league and playing on local men's teams.
He married his high school sweetheart, Iris Evans, on May 25, 1968. They had three children: Shannon, April and James Ryan. The family enjoyed going on vacations every summer to places like Vegas, Branson, Eureka Springs, Padre Island and Six Flags. He spent many hours across the street from their house teaching his kids how to play basketball and playing catch with them.
He worked as an aircraft mechanic at Aero Commander and Taylor Rig before owning and operating the Christy Skelly Filling Station in the late 1970s. Jim Bill then worked as a civilian sheet metal mechanic at Tinker Air Force Base for 28 years, retiring in January 2009. He also retired from the Wellston Volunteer Fire Department after proudly serving his community in that capacity for 20 years.
After "hanging out" with Paula Scott for almost nine years, they married on November 14, 2008. They enjoyed traveling, fishing at the lake, going to the casino and entertaining guests in their home. Late in his life and because of his own particular situation, the couple organized the Redneck Poker Run, benefiting the Lincoln County Relay for Life.
Jim Bill not only loved to watch sports, but loved attending them. It didn't matter if it were his children, grandchildren, family members or friends, one could always count him in! If he did not travel for sports, he could be found watching ballgames on television. In fact you could bet your last $20 if you walked into his house, his television was always on a sporting event. His favorite sports teams were the University of Oklahoma Sooners, Oklahoma City Thunder and St. Louis Cardinals. He also liked to watch Judge Judy, Family Feud, Wheel of Fortune and cooking shows – don’t know why because he was not about to get in the kitchen and try to prepare any of those dishes! He would only drink the best whiskey.
He enjoyed Friday nights at the "Bicycle Club meetings" and, unlike most people, he loved to go grocery shopping. He could spend hours puttering through the grocery store aisles. He would try to find the best deals while envisioning what meal he was going to have Paula prepare for their invited - and uninvited - guests. It turns out his favorite meal was hot links, cottage cheese, brown beans and cornbread. Jim Bill also loved his ice cream and lemon pie.
He loved to spend time with his granddaughters, from breakfast to school activities, never letting them leave without getting his good-bye hug.
Jim Bill disliked bad drivers, ice box stew, spaghetti tacos, seafood and fish. Yes, even though he loved to fish, he wouldn't eat it! Fashion was not Jim Bill’s thing. He was not particular about his clothing except for his socks. No matter the outfit, he had to wear a pair of sparkling white socks with no stains or holes.
His straightforward input will always be remembered. Jim Bill always said, "second place sucks." Today, he's in Heaven enjoying the championship.
Jim Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Zelma Christy and wife, Iris.
Survivors include his wife, Paula, of the home; children, Shannon Christy of Norman; April Sosa and husband, Saul, of Oklahoma City; Ryan and his wife, Jovanna, of Midwest City; brothers, Larry and his wife, Zandra, of Beggs; Tommy and his wife, Frances, of Checotah; grandchildren, Cierra Tillison, Caleigh Sosa, Jada and Alea Christy; and stepson, Levi Bouska; many nieces and nephews as well as many other relatives and a host of friends.
A donation can be made in honor of Jim Bill to Relay for Life - Team Wellston.
Visitation is scheduled from 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Tuesday evening, August 26, at Lehman Funeral Home in Wellston. Family and friends are invited to share memories at a Turn-out Celebration starting at 7:00 p.m.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 27 under the direction of Lehman Funeral Home.
Interment will follow in the Wellston Cemetery.
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