A funeral service for William Austin Graves, 87, of Chickasha, will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 15, 2024 in the Ninnekah First Baptist Church with Pastor Curtis Townley officiating.
William Austin Graves, who also went by W. A. Graves or Bill Graves, was born October 8, 1936 in Alex, Oklahoma to William Austin Graves and Addie Bell (Airington) Graves. He passed from this life on Sunday, March 10, 2024 at his home in Chickasha, Oklahoma.
Bill grew up in Alex, graduating from Alex High School in 1954. He then went on to attend OU and many various colleges around the state. Because of his United States Air Force career and his family obligations, it took him until 1980 for him to complete his degree at USAO.
He joined the Air Force on November 30, 1956 and served until September 1, 1980. He received many medals and accolades over the years and was stationed in seven states and served in South Korea.
On February 24, 1957, he married Shirley Ann Dale in Wichita Falls, Texas and they shared 55 years together until her passing in July 2012. With his service in the military, W.A. and Shirley moved from state to state, raising their family with the ideal of being missionaries wherever they were. He taught his children to do your best and don’t settle for less.
The family came back to Oklahoma in 1976 and in 1980, they moved to the Chickasha/Ninnekah area. Bill went to work for Pool Mortgage Company for a year and then worked for Chickasha Bank, known as Bill Graves the Banker. He was Vice President and Senior Loan Officer for 30 years working at mostly at the Cement location.
He was a member of Ninnekah First Baptist Church and was a deacon and Sunday School Director for many years. He was also a proud member of the Choctaw Nation. He actively served in the local Lion’s Club for twenty years and was very involved in the community.
His family was a priority in his life and he loved his grandchildren. As their Papa, he had a true connection with each one of the eight in his own way. He loved softball and football and was an avid OU fan. He loved crimson and cream, which was reflected throughout his farm, red Hereford cows, buildings and vehicles were all in the OU colors. When he was younger, he coached softball. He was also an extensive coin collector. Bill was known for being punctual and he had a huge heart. He was a master domino player, able to do the math before you.
Bill was preceded in death by both parents, his wife Shirley, and his siblings Bonnie Hamilton, Leroy Graves, and Maynard Graves.
Loved ones left to remember his are his children Renee Townzen and husband Doug of Sherman, Texas, Greg Graves and wife Leigh of Loveland, Colorado, and Stacey Hood of Chickasha; oldest sister Wanda Scribner of Coleman, Oklahoma; grandchildren and spouses Dionne and Michael Rainey, David Townzen, Denae and Josh Haney, Kaycie Graves, Kyle and Keely Graves, Bron Deal, Kristi and Bryan Hilderbrand, and Kiara Deal; great-grandchildren Desiree, Milo, Piper, Owen, Elliott, Mozzie, Jordan, Evan, Rhyan, Daethan, and Hunter; great-great-granddaughter Lilah; and other extended family and friends.
Viewing will be Thursday, March 14 th at Ferguson Funeral Home from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., the family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Interment will be in Alex Cemetery under the direction of Ferguson Funeral Home.