Bill Blair

Tahlequah, OK- Funeral services for Bill Blair will be held on Monday, July 9th, 2012 at 10:00 AM at Reed-Culver Chapel with Pastor Loyd Kester officiating. Visitation will be conducted on Saturday, July 7th, 2012 at Reed-Culver Chapel from 8:00 AM until 8:00 PM. Interment will follow at Tahlequah City Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Reed-Culver Funeral Home of Tahlequah.

Pallbearers for Bill include his grandsons, Jimmy Davis, Jason Blair, Christopher Blair, Dustin Goodnight, Billy Blair, Bryan Justin Goodnight, Chris Blair, John Blackman, Austin Blair, and Brandon Malone. Honorary Pallbearers include Boyd Hamby, L.D. Drywater, Mike Rousey, Rudy Briggs, Clay Mahaney, Charlie Batt, Brass Breshears, Norman Fisher, and his buddy, Bill Barrington, who precedes him in passing.

Billie Blair, or Bill to his friends, was born on May 8th, 1936 in Cookson, OK the son of Jesse Thomas and Katie (Evans) Blair. Upon completing school, Bill decided on a lifetime of public service and became a law enforcement officer. He served the City of Tahlequah for 20 years , and after retiring, then served the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department and finally the Stilwell City Police. Bill loved people. He never met a stranger and loved to chat with every friend he met. He was our family chef and made the best brisket, steaks, and chicken and dumplings, and hosted a big cookout every New Year’s Day. He enjoyed a day spent hunting, fishing, and being out of doors. He liked to curl up with his blue heeler, his baby, Tasha, and watch wrestling every chance he got. He loved his horses. He was a proud member of the Fraternal Order of Police and a member of the Carter Mountain Church. Bill will be remembered for the love and devotion he had for his family, they were the most important part of his life. Bill lived for a family gathering. He adored his wife, his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Bill passed from this life on July 4th, 2012 in Tulsa, OK with his family by his side. Bill was 76 years old. His smile and laughter will be greatly missed by those he cherished and loved and those who called him friend.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, his second wife, Luada Mae “Luki” Blair in 1984, his brothers, Jesse, Jack, Tom and George Blair, and three sisters, Christine Blair, Eliza Ussery, and Perle Sissons.

Those left to cherish Bill’s memory include C.J., his loving wife since 2003,Barbara West, the mother of his children, six beloved children, Rickie Blair and wife Kim of Keys, Billy Blair and wife Denise of Tahlequah, Tim Blair and wife Paula of Savannah, TN, Vickie Goodnight of Bunch, Lisa Blackman of Bunch, and Ray Eugene Cochran, son of Luada Mae, of Claremore, OK. He leaves two brothers and four sisters, Levi Blair of Sallisaw, Lucy Allen of Ft. Gibson, Bob Blair and wife Bertha of Tahlequah, Cherokee Beatty and husband Jim of Keys, Ester Watkins of Peggs, and Margaret Nixon of Broken Arrow, OK. Bill’s legacy lives on in his 21 grandchildren, Christopher, Jason, Cassie, Paige, Savannah, Jimmy, Billy, Tracy, Jamie, Austin, Timmy, Mandy, Brandon, Audrey, Christopher, Dustin, Bryan Justin, Kristen, Shelbi, John, Blair, and Natasha, and 27 great grandchildren, and three more on the way, as well as many, many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones.