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Billy Lee Sroufe, resident of Ponca City, passed away at his home on Wednesday May 30, 2018 at the age of 79. Billy was born on June 14, 1938 in Fairfax, Oklahoma to William Thomas and Lorean Elizabeth (Beree) Sroufe and the family resided there until shortly after Billy's younger brother Frank was born. At this time, the family moved west of Ponca City to the Bois D'Arc community. He attended school in Ponca City and graduated Ponca City High School in 1957, where he was very active in FFA. It was obvious from an early age that Bill had an immense love for animals.
After a stint in the United States Army Reserve, Bill married Berenice L. Neal on July 9, 1958. After marrying, they owned and operated Bill's Texaco in the Osage and Bill's Texaco at the Marland Y. During this time the couple welcomed two children: Russell Lee on February 10, 1959 and Elizabeth Ann on November 24, 1960. The couple was married until 1966.
In December of 1969 Bill married Joyce Ann Solomon from Tonkawa and they enjoyed 37 ½ years of marriage before parting ways. Bill, together with Joyce and his children, was very active in raising, training, and racing both thoroughbred and quarter horses. Bill and his family were also instrumental in bringing pari-mutuel horse racing to the state of Oklahoma. After the oil boom in the late 1980's, Bill and his family took their love for animals in a different direction. During this time, Bill and Joyce built and maintained B-J's Game Farm where they raised and cared for a variety of exotic cats.
After Bill's retirement from Continental Carbon in 2003, he was able to devote his time to his life-long passion for animals. From a young age up until his death he raised, raced, and trained homing pigeons. He was well-respected world-wide for his talented work with homing pigeons. After he and Joyce parted ways, Bill moved out to Big Snake Road in Osage County. After moving, Bill met Deloris Avery who shared in his dedication and love of raising and racing pigeons. Together Bill and Deloris also enjoyed landscaping and growing flowers. In addition, he was also a member of the American Legion as well as the Moose Lodge.
Survivors include his son Russell Sroufe of Wichita, KS, granddaughter, Amber Rains of Missouri, grandson, Stephen (Ashley) Chaney of Missouri, eight great-grandchildren, and Bill's brother, Joe. Also surviving Bill is Deloris Avery, his best friend and other half, and their animals. Preceding him in death are his parents, his brother, Frank, and daughter, Elizabeth Ann Lambert.
A private family viewing was held on June 1, 2018 and afterward cremation was affected. A public memorial ceremony will be held on Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 2pm at Ranch Drive Baptist Church, 2985 S. Ranch Drive and Old Highway 60. Because of Bill's extreme love of animals, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Ponca City Humane Society, 900 W. Prospect, Ponca City, OK 74601. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory.
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