William "Bill" James Rinehart

CPT (RET) William "Bill" James Rinehart, 72, died at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City on Tuesday, June 1, 2021. CPT (RET) Rinehart was a faithful husband, loving father, loyal soldier and celebrated veteran having achieved the rank of Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve. CPT (RET) Rinehart was born on June 2, 1948 in Kansas City, MO. and was raised and attended school in El Reno, OK. Upon graduating El Reno High School in 1966 he briefly attended the local Junior College before enlisting in the U.S. Army Infantry in 1967. While on active duty, he served three tours of duty spanning from 1967-1974. Initially with the 1st Battalion of the 34th Mechanized Infantry, 24th Infantry Division in Augsburg, Germany from ‘67-’68, then with Bravo Company, 3/12th Inf., 4th Inf. Div where he earned the Combat Infantry Badge in the Central Highlands of the Republic of South Viet Nam from ‘68-’69 and finally with the 59th Ordnance Group, Advanced Weapons Support Command in Pirmasens, Germany from ‘70-’73. Honorably Discharged in 1974, CPT (RET) Rinehart returned home and was then employed at the Federal Correctional Institute in El Reno. While there in 1978 he completed his undergraduate education first at El Reno Junior College earning an AA in Corrections and then at Central State University in Edmond earning a BA in Criminal Justice, and served in the U.S. Army Reserve with a basic training company in Chickasha. In 1980 he transferred from the FCI to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Oklahoma City and while there joined the Oklahoma National Guard. He transferred back to the U.S. Army Reserve in 1982 while continuing to work for the U.S. Attorney’s Office and in 1985 he completed his Juris Doctor degree at the Oklahoma City University School of Law. Admitted to the Oklahoma Bar Association in 1989 he was a member until his death and began working for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s legal division as a litigation attorney specializing in eminent domain and real property law in 1990. He joined the El Reno School Board in 1993, was elected President of the Board during his tenure and was the driving force that lead to the construction of the Roblyer Middle School in 1995. He retired from the U.S. Army Reserve the same year and then, in 2001, retired from ODOT to start a small business with his wife Linda in El Reno. He permanently retired in 2005 due to declining health issues related to his exposures to agent orange during his tour in Viet Nam. The U.S. Veteran’s Administration eventually recognized his exposure to agent orange as the primary cause of his declining health by classifying him as a 100% disabled American veteran. He was a Master Mason, Shriner, member of the Friends of the Central Highlands and lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans.

CPT (RET) Rinehart spent his remaining years occasionally traveling and enjoying his family, children and grandchildren. His personality was warm, friendly and always patient. An avid reader his entire life he hobbied in photography, gardening and cooking. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Linda Kay Rinehart; children, Ms. Jamie Courtney of Yukon, Mrs. Kari Tison and husband Wes of Meeker, Ms. Heather Gregory of Yukon, CSM Will Rinehart and wife Amy of Fort Belvoir VA, Mr. James Rinehart of Yukon; 11 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his brother and sister Dennis and Amy; parents Jim and Julia Rinehart; granddaughter Kyra and grandson Marco.