Harlan Leroy "Bill" Roark was born February 20, 1915 to W. F. and Ella Roark in Wellston, Oklahoma, and departed this life on March 10, 2010 at the grand age of 95 years young.

Bill began developing his business skills at an early age by helping in his father's livery stable and transporting passengers in a horse drawn surrey from the depot to the Roark Hotel in Wellston and cities nearby. Later he worked in his father's garage and car dealership, located in the space now occupied by Roark Used Appliances.

He graduated from Wellston High School in 1933, and in 1938 graduated from Oklahoma A&M College {OSU} in Stillwater, Oklahoma with a BS in business administration. At A&M, he was a member of Alpha Kappa PSI business fraternity, and PI Kappa Alpha fraternity. While at OSU he worked in the college post office delivering news and mail throughout the campus. Bill and Kathryne Nickell married March 16, 1941, and Bill entered the United States Army in January 1943 serving in the American, Pacific and European theaters. While serving overseas their first son, Van Franklin was born in 1944.

Bill owned and operated Roark Lumber and Hardware in Wellston, Oklahoma and was a member of the Oklahoma Lumberman's Association and state and county homebuilders associations. He served on the Wellston town council from 1951-1962 and during his service as mayor of Wellston, he initiated important infrastructure improvements for the city of Wellston. Bill was an active member of the Wellston Christian Church and attended every Sunday until his death. Throughout his lifetime he served in leadership roles for many local civic and community organizations. He was a proud member of the American Legion's, post 61, the Wellston Senior Citizens group and served for many years on the Wellston Volunteer Fire Department. Bill especially looked forward each year to attending the Wellston High School alumni banquet and renewing many friendships. He remained an active businessman and operated Roark Used Appliances until his death.

Preceding him in death were his parents, brother, Jimmy; wife, Kathryne and son, Van. Bill is survived by two daughters and sons-in-laws, Janet and Dennis Stieben of the Woodlands, Texas and Robin and Larry Dushane of Grove, Oklahoma; one son, Rick Roark of the home and one daughter-in-law, Mary Roark of Wellston, Oklahoma. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and five great great grandchildren.

Bill's funeral was held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, March 14, 2010 at the Wellston Christian Church with interment following in the Wellston Cemetery under the direction of Lehman's Funeral Home of Wellston.