Billie Ray "Bill" Vernon was born on May 28, 1933, in Dolph, Arkansas, and departed this life on Tuesday, May 12, 2015, in Prague, Oklahoma, at the age of 81.

Bill, the son of Charles Waco and Ida Maye Wendland Vernon, was a resident of Prague.

He married Jan Melay on August 22, 1987, in Fertile, Iowa. Sadly, Jan passed away cutting their life together short.

Bill was a retired pipeliner who spent over 40 years in the field. He worked in 48 states, the only two states that he didn’t work in did not start a pipeline until after his retirement. Bill and his brother, Dick, worked on the Alaska Pipeline from start to finish. The job wasn’t confined to the United States, Bill also did many jobs overseas. He truly loved his work. The other great pleasure in Bill’s life was shooting. Bill was outstanding at shooting a number of different firearms with great skill.

His wife, parents and brother, Charles "Dick" Vernon, preceded him in death.

Bill is survived by his sister, Maye Vaughn of Locust Grove; nephews and nieces, Greg Vernon, Dennis Vernon, Charlie Vernon, Michael Vernon, Christie Dunbar, Charles Holman, Judy Ann Sims and Karen Zehner; other numerous family and friends.

The Vernon family will receive friends on Friday, May 15, 2015, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Parks Brothers Funeral Home in Prague.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. at Deer Creek Baptist Church in Stroud, with Rev. Mike Haines officiating.

Interment will follow at White Dove Cemetery in Sparks.

Services are under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Service in Prague.