William "Bill" Edward Rickman

He is preceded in death by his parents, Francis Rickman and Grace Emma Draeger. He is survived by his wife, Brenda, son Chris, and wife Lori, daughter Tammy, and husband Chad, and sons, Phillip Wayne and Kevin Mullins; along with 11 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Charles and sister Karen.

Bill graduated from Miami High School in 1967. He later enlisted into the United States Air Force September of 1968, with an occupational specialty of Administrative Clerk. Most of his military career was spent as a Contracting Supervisor. He retired from active duty in September of 1988 at the rank of Tech Sergeant with a Meritorious Service medal and an Air Force Commendation medal with cluster. During his tour, he served at various duty stations including Myrtle Beach SC, Topeka KS, Valdosta GA, San Vito Italy, Montgomery AL, Altus OK, then to Maguire Air Force Base in New Jersey, where he retired and then later met the love of his life in 1994.

He married his first wife in October of 1968 and had their oldest child Christopher David on August 12, 1971; followed by Tamara Dawn on May 26, 1973. He loved his children very much from the moment they were born. Moving back to Oklahoma was his dream so he could be closer to them both. There is where he completed his career at Tinker Air Force Base in Civil Service as a Systems Analyst in 2009.

Bill and Brenda married on March 24, 1995. They moved to Oklahoma in 1996 and purchased their home in 1997 where they lived out their 28 years together.

Bill liked a variety of music, especially his vinyl records. He enjoyed watching all the old Western movies and series on television. He loved most of all, hunting and spending as many hours as possible fishing at the lake. He also loved family gatherings and playing cards and dominoes whenever he could round up some competition. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren as often as possible.

Bill was a strong man; proud and generous. He was a good friend and would give the shirt off his back to anyone who may need it. He was dearly loved and will be missed by many.