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And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. Mark 1:17
Bill Currens, was a fisher of men. After living as a faithful disciple for 92 years, Bill left his earthly home for heaven, Sunday, November 6, 2022.
Born January 29, 1930 in Panama, Oklahoma, Bill graduated with the class of 1948 from Panama High School. He attended Carl Albert Junior College, Northeastern State University, Oklahoma Baptist University and earned his Master's degree at Oklahoma State University. He was a life-long learner and continued his education with many post graduate hours. Bill proudly served his country in the U.S. Army in Korea before being honorably discharged. While in service, he earned the Good Conduct Medal and Medal of Foreign Wars and played for the All-Star Far East Commano Baseball Team in Tokyo. As a young man, Bill, worked for the Kansas City Southern Railroad and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. Bill was a math teacher and beloved football coach for Bokoshe Public Schools, Westville Public Schools, Shawnee Public Schools, and pinnacled his career with the Wildcats in Ponca City Public Schools. He later worked for Shawnee Construction Co. and founded South Central Indus-tries, Inc. and stayed as a co-director with his wife. Bill was a passionate lover of sports serving as a director on the Oklahoma Coaches Association and Commissioner of NAIA athletic association. He was chosen to coach the Oklahoma football team at the Oil Bowl. He was, also, active on the board of directors for Central Oklahoma Action while serving many years as the Chairman at Operation Christmas. He sat on the committee for Senator Nickels Nichols' Scholarships and was a Leader of Faith 7 bowl games for many years. When not at church or doing community service, Bill was happiest with a fishing pole in his hand and a family member or friend by his side. He married Velma Marie Lemmon Lacquement on May 1, 1999. They enjoyed many years at the lake, traveling and enjoying time with their extensive family. He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Sue Currens; parents, George and Ada Currens; grand-son, James Andrew Hatch; and sister, Patsy Fox. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Velma Currens of the home; daughters, Billye Sue and Jim Hatch of Shawnee, OK, Julie and Roddie Smith of Katy, TX, Lisa and Joe Morlan of Bethel Acres and Starla and Kelley Griffith of Bethel Acres; grandchildren, Adam Curren Cote-Hatch, Spencer Hatch, Tayler McCarthy, Barrett Smith, Bailey Hughes, Jacob Morlan, Brittney Snodgrass, Carly Griffith-Hotvedt and Daniel Griffith; 12 great-grandchildren; brother, Buddy Joe Currens; and other extended family and friends. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 9, 2022. Service will be at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, November 10, 2022 at Life.Church in Shawnee with Reverend Larry Sparks officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.