William N. Raulston

William N. “Bill” Raulston, 84, died Thursday, February 13, 2014 in Oklahoma City following a long illness. Also known as “Papa” by his grandchildren, Bill was born in Oklahoma City on October 18, 1929 to James F. and Cynthia Whirlow Raulston. He attended Putnam Heights Elementary School, Harding Junior High, and graduated from Central High School in 1948. He spent his entire working career as an employee of Southwestern Bell Telephone, interrupted only by the two years he spent in the U.S. Army from 1950-1952. He was honorably discharged as a corporal.

In 1959, Bill married Betty Frances Porter, also an employee of Southwestern Bell Telephone, and they were married for 54 years. In addition to raising two daughters, they shared interests in classical music, opera, and ballet. They were members of the Audubon Society and enjoyed being avid gardeners.

Bill enjoyed greatly spending time with his family and was always delighted with large gatherings for meals and special occasions. His interests also included classic movies, target shooting, reading, (especially history and science fiction), and studying Roman Catholicism. To deepen his faith, he transcribed - entirely by hand - The Bible.

He is survived by his wife, Betty; his daughter Seyan Hefner and her husband, John; his daughter Celeste Carter and her husband, Carson; granddaughter Leigh Hefner Bentley and her husband, Nick; Virginia Hefner; and Cecilia Carter, and great-granddaughter Adelaide Smith.

A Catholic Wake will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday, February 16, 2014 at Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper, 6600 Broadway Extension. Visitors are welcome for viewing any time after 8 a.m. Sunday. Family will be available for visiting before and after the Wake.

The Roman Catholic Burial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 1901 N. W. 18th Street (two block east of Pennsylvania Avenue). Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. An opportunity to gather with the family will be held after these services. In lieu of flowers, the family would suggest donations may be made to St. Francis of Assisi Church, 1901 N. W. 18th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73106.

Arrangements under the direction of Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors, Oklahoma City, OK.