Retired Lieutenant Colonel William R. Melton

Retired Lt. Col. William R. Melton, USMC passed away at the Oklahoma City VA Hospital on February 24, 2024, at the age of 86. He was born in Marysville, California, on September 9, 1937, to parents Raymond Lee Melton and Alice Ruth Melton (Hieter). Bill graduated from East Nicolaus High School and later obtained a Bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma City University. In 1955, he joined the United States Marine Corps, where he served and retired with 37 years of service.

Bill enjoyed watching westerns, games shows, and walking his dogs. He loved his country, the Marine Corps, and his family. Bill was a man of his faith and was a member of St. Paul Apostle Catholic Church. He was also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, the National Rifle Association of America, and the Military Officers Association of America. In 2007, he was inducted into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame.

Bill is preceded in death by his first wife, Rosemarie Melton; parents, Raymond Lee Melton and Alice Ruth Melton; brother Robert LeRoy Melton (Ann Melton) of Prior Lake, Minnesota; and sister Patsy Ann Cates of Victoria, Texas.

He is survived by his wife Kyong Ok Melton of Moore, Oklahoma; son William Anthony Melton (Debora K. Melton) of Kihei, Hawaii; daughters Tanya M. Chavez of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Marina Kathleen Alexander (Ricky Alexander) of Stafford, Virginia; and Wihelmina A. Hernandez (David Hernandez) of Apache Junction, Arizona; 10 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; and 6 nieces.

A visitation for Retired Lieutenant Colonel William will be held Friday, March 1, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Sunny Lane Funeral Home, 4000 SE 29th Street, Del City, OK 73115. A funeral service will occur Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 10:00 AM, 4000 SE 29th Street, Del City, OK 73115 followed by burial at Sunny Lane Cemetery.