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Billy James Newcomb was born June 9, 1934, near Ringling, OK to Jesse and Exnah Dunn Newcomb. He went to several schools in Oklahoma and Kansas as his dad was a house mover. He was a hard worker starting at a very early age, assisting his dad moving houses from lowlands during the building of Grand Lake and Hulah Lake. They also helped with reconstruction after the 1942 tornado that devastated Pryor. They settled in Chautauqua, Kansas and he attended Peru high school, graduating in 1952. While in high school, he met Donna Pogue at a rodeo, and they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on March 14, 2023.
They moved to Oologah in 1964 while the lake was being filled. Bill built the home that Donna designed on a bluff overlooking the soon to be Oologah Lake where they raised their four children.
In 1953 while working as a laborer on the Price Tower in Bartlesville, the Otis Elevator foreman noticed how hard a worker Bill was and asked him to join the elevator trade. This began a 38-year career. He installed elevators all over Oklahoma, primarily in Tulsa, also in Little Rock, Arkansas and Branson, Missouri.
After his retirement they traveled all over the United States. They also enjoyed cruising. Alaska was their favorite. During two Hawaiian cruises they renewed their vows each time.
Bill and Donna were proud to be founding members of the Cowboy Country Fellowship in Talala. They are currently members of the Methodist Church in Oologah.
Bill was very talented at creating anything he put his mind to. He loved metalworking, especially horseshoe art. However, his greatest passion was fishing.
Bill was preceded in death by the love of his life, Donna, siblings Sammie, Jackie and Jerry, son-in-law, Danny Chaffin. He is survived by his sister, Faye Lovelle, sister-in-law, Luana Brennan; children Bill Jr and wife Jackie, Steven, Laurie Chaffin, Jeff; grandchildren Jessie and Wes Phelps, Lisa Newcomb, Todd and Meredith Newcomb, David and Sharon Antinoja, Shauna and Rob Padgett, Joey and Jami Chaffin, Shane Chaffin; great grandchildren Samantha Phelps, Mallory Phelps, Kylie Bauer, Rylie Bauer, Emma Padgett, Shane Chaffin Jr, Haley Chaffin, Eric Antinoja, Andrew Antinoja, and many nieces and nephews.
A Life Celebration will be held at Oologah United Methodist Church. Services are entrusted to Dolton Funeral Home of Collinsville. In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to Oologah United Methodist Church Youth Group.
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