William Franklin Horton

Loving Husband, Father, and Grandfather, William Franklin Horton, 88, of Shawnee, Oklahoma passed away Wednesday evening, July 22, 2015 at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City. William was born in a farmhouse outside of Hollis, Oklahoma on Sunday, September 5, 1926 to loving parents William A. and Frankie (Shields) Horton. He grew up there on a farm and attended school at Westview until the age of 17 and joined the Navy before graduation. William was honorably discharged from the US Navy on April 18, 1946, returned home and immediately went to work at the local John Deere dealership in Hollis and met the love of his life, Billie Francis Tabor, who was working at a local drug store at that time. They were married on November 29, 1948. William and Billie moved to Borger, Texas where he went to work at Phillips Petroleum. At the age of 35 William entered college and still worked full time. After 4 years he earned his Bachelor of Science degree on May 22, 1966 at West Texas State University. William, Billie and daughter Willecia then moved to Shawnee, Oklahoma where he began a very successful career at Tinker Air Force Base, where he retired after 25 years as Branch Chief and Director of Maintenance. William was always active in the Elks Lodge #657, serving as Exalted Ruler on 3 occasions. He was involved in AARP and always the local Democratic Election Board. William grew up in the Church of Christ and dearly loved the Lord. He was a current member of the Central Church of Christ in Shawnee. William’s parents’ two main goals were the church and to educate their children, and that would be done at all costs. William always believed that education is the great shining light to our children’s future. He was always kind and patient, soft spoken and pleasant, the Voice of Reason. We love you PaPa. He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Minnie Lee Corbitt, Rudene Nelson and Tillie F. Long; two brothers, John Roscoe Horton and twin brother Wylie O. Horton; and a grandson, Darrell R. Jones. Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 67 years, Billie Francis; one daughter, Willecia Rae Jones and husband Dennis; one granddaughter, Kelley Rae Edmonds of Shawnee; one grandson, Dennis D. Jones, Jr. and wife Kim of Shawnee; one sister, Tennie Pritchard and husband Jerry of Shamrock, TX, and many nephews and nieces that he dearly loved, many other relatives and friends. Services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, July 27 at the Central Church of Christ with Dwyane Dennis officiating. Graveside services will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 28 in Fairmount Cemetery in Hollis, Oklahoma.