Billy Lee Autry

Billy Lee Autry died on December 5, 2023, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. He was 92 years old. Bill was born in Washington, Oklahoma on June 7, 1931, to Jewel Autry. He was cared for by his grandparents, Lee and Pearl Autry, and his mother. Bill was raised on a ranch until the age of 19. He attended Blanchard schools through the eighth grade and graduated from Middleburg High School in 1950. He was the valedictorian of his class. He enlisted in the Army during the Korean Conflict in 1951. He received his training as a mechanic at Ft. Knox Armored School for repairing and maintaining the M-24 Light Tank. Bill was assigned to Co., 45th Recon. Battalion, Ft. Clayton, Panama Canal Zone. He assisted with repairing and maintaining a fleet of military tanks and vehicles. He attained the rank of sergeant and was in charge of the motor pool during his last six months of duty. He enrolled at Oklahoma University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Arts Education. Bill spent his summer months learning the bricklaying trade at which he was supremely talented. After graduating from The University of Oklahoma, he was employed by the university. to teach three-quarters of the time while doing graduate work for his master's degree. Bill and Barbara Thompson were married on January 3, 1959.and spent 54 wonderful years together. They moved to Bartlesville, OK, in 1964, where both were employed by the Bartlesville School System. Bill worked as Director of Buildings & Grounds for 22 years. He also taught as an Industrial Arts teacher at Central Junior High for over 10 years before retiring. Rarely did Bill go out in Bartlesville that a former student didn’t approach him and share how much they enjoyed his class. Bill was baptized in the Blanchard Methodist Church in 1959 and has been a member of the Bartlesville First United Methodist Church since 1964. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law; Chris and Tina Autry who live in Waxahachie, Texas, and their two sons, Chip & Anna Autry of Denver, Colorado, and Charles Autry. His beloved daughter and son-in-law, Holly and David Jurbergs, and their two sons, Alex and Luke, of Austin, Texas. Also, Charlotte Hackney and her husband Floyd of Lindsay and Mona Mitchell of Blanchard. Two sisters-in-law, Elnora Thompson of Anadarko and Evelyn Thompson of Mt. View, one brother-in-law Gail Jones of Duncan, and a host of nieces and nephews across the state. We also want to mention his very close friend, Margie Mae Newton Howe of Chickasha, Oklahoma. Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara, an infant son, Clark Dewayne Autry; his brothers, Jerry Allen Cole, Linden Rains, his mother, Jewel Autry Cole and stepfather, Charley Cole. Graveside services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 9th, at the Mt. View Cemetery. The family invites all friends and family to join them for lunch at noon at the First Baptist Church of Mt. View in the fellowship hall. Bill will be remembered for his great sense of humor, corny jokes love of music, and height of five feet and eighteen inches. One of his legacies is his involvement with Boy Scouts of America and the participation of all his grandsons, and the achievement of Eagle Rank by his son and several of his grandsons.

Billy Lee Autry

June 7, 1931 - December 5, 2013