He attended Hitchita School (grades 1-12) graduating in 1957. He participated in baseball and basketball and was salutatorian of his class of seven! Billy attended Northeastern State College, getting a B.S. and M.S. in Education and continued working toward a doctorate at Oklahoma State University and The University of Tulsa. He married Margaret Faye Crocker on July 28, 1961, and celebrated 60 years of marriage in July 2021.
Bill served in the National Guard before starting his career in education in 1962 in Morris, OK, as a teacher and girls’ basketball coach, winning a state championship in 1966. Bill and Margaret would have two children during this time: Bill (1962) and Shelly (1965). The family then moved to Stillwater where Bill worked in the school supply business. He returned back to education and became the Superintendent of Schools at Sequoyah-Claremore from 1968-1972.
In 1972 the family moved to Edmond, OK, and Bill began his career at the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association until 1999, serving as the Executive Director for over nine years. Bill also served on the National Federation Board and was instrumental in writing the rulebook for high school girls’ softball.
After retiring in 1999, Bill and Margaret moved to Grand Lake for 4 1/2 years.
They moved back to Edmond in 2004 to be able to watch the grandkids participate in sports and other activities.
Bill enjoyed playing checkers, dominos, cards, golf and fishing and had many travels that included watching OSU, ORU, TU, Illinois and KU basketball games.
He enjoyed close relationships with many friends and was well respected in his personal and professional life.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Gene and Vanita Self. He is survived by wife Margaret, son Bill Jr., and wife Cindy, daughter Shelly, and grandchildren Taylor Moffat (Jacob), Lauren Browning (Hayden), Morgan Stringer (Brayden), Tyler Self and great grand-daughters Ella and Phoebe Browning, one brother, Gary Self and wife Linda and a host of nieces, aunts and cousins.
Bill’s wishes included a private family service and burial. He will be laid to rest in Memorial Park Cemetery 13313 N. Kelley, OKC, 73131.
The family would love for you to visit the tribute page to leave your memories and condolences.
In lieu of flowers, donations will be accepted in Bill’s honor at Faithworks of the Inner City, PO Box 95106, Oklahoma City, OK 73143 or online at Faithworksokc.com/donate
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