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Billy Joe Sires passed away on Thursday Sept 23, 2021, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma at the age of 84. He was born to Alvin C. “Chick” Sires and Ada Brown Sires, in Ochelata, Oklahoma, April 21, 1937. Bill earned his education at Ochelata Public School, before enlisting in the United States Army.
Bill served from 1955-58 and obtained the rank of Sergeant, where he was assigned to the 41st Artillery, anti-aircraft battery. It was there that Bill learned to drive a M42 “Duster” tank. He chose to re-enlist by changing branches and joining the Marine Corp. After being in a little over a month, the Marine Corp declared him 50% disabled due to the hearing loss he had sustained during his service, and he was issued a medical discharge.
In 1959, he met Jackie Sue Barnett, and they married in Miami, Oklahoma, Feb. 20, 1960. They made their home in Ochelata, where they eventually bought the Sires Family Homestead. The couple would remain living there until each of them passed. Bill worked for several years as a ranch hand on the 4-S Ranch. Later, he was given the chance to put his tank driving experience to work by operating heavy construction equipment and pipelining for the H.C. Price Company.
Afterwards, he worked locally for Thompson Dirt & Excavation, and considered Walt Thompson a good friend.
Bill retired in the early 1990s to care for his family, but continued to do small jobs until Walt’s passing. Bill was proud of the numerous excavation jobs he did around the Bartlesville, and Washington County area.
Bill coached American Legion Baseball in 1959 and 1960. He loved watching sports, and would cheer for the Oklahoma team. Bill was an avid outdoorsman, and he loved to hunt and fish. He belonged to the Ochelata Sportsman’s Club, and was a long time member of the Osage Hills Wolf Hunters Association. Bill was proud of his dogs and won lots of trophies. He and his wife Jackie loved taking their camping trailer to the hunts. He took great pride in taking care of the Sires Family Homestead, and would often be found outside on his tractor. In the evenings, he would sit on the porch and whittle wooden things that he gave to family and friends. He was an amazing cook and was always excited to try out new recipes. Bill was a man that enjoyed life. He sang songs, whistled tunes, and wrote silly poems. Of all the things that he loved, Bill loved his family the most.
Bill is survived by his two daughters, Tammy Jo Peck and husband, Bill of
Bartlesville, youngest daughter, Cassie Sires and husband, Bobby Barger of
Dewey. Bill has four grandchildren, Andy Peck of
Bartlesville, Katie
Askins, and husband, Billy of Ochelata, Olivia
Inman of Dewey, and Jaren Godinez of Stillwater. Bill, known as “Old Pa”, was proudest of his three great granddaughters, Bella, Abby, and Maddy. He has four surviving sisters, Phyllis Sanders of Ochelata, June Thomas of Ramona, Sherry Lozano of Bartlesville, and Colleen Peck of Bartlesville. Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Jackie Sue, parents, Chick and Ada Sires, brothers, Donald “Spud” Sires, AC “Handy” Sires, infant brother, John Wesley Sires, sisters Wanda Faye Virden, and Joyce Parker.
Celebration of Life Services are pending.
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