Billy Ray McCoy

Billy Ray McCoy was born on January 9th, 1954, in Tahlequah, OK, the son of Alex and Rachel (Bearpaw) McCoy. He grew up and in Muskogee, OK, with five brothers and sisters, Clarence, Brenda, Beverly, Rick, Ronnie, Jack, and Tommy. He attended school and then enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. He served with honor from March of 1972 until March of 1976, released with an honorable discharge as the rank of Corporal. He then served in the United States Army National Guard, serving as a Combat Engineer. For thirty years he and his wife, Christa (Petersen) McCoy, raised their family and enjoyed life, in Tahlequah, OK. He was the proud father of five sons, Mark, Alex ,Billy Jr., Matthew and John. He earned his living as a Security Officer at WW Hastings Hospital. He liked time spent with his friends, and all kinds of hobbies, collecting coins, archery, hiking into caves, and listening to the 70’s rock and roll hits. Any time spent with his wife, sons, and grandchildren was a good day. The view from his own back porch was just fine by Bill, and he liked each day he had on earth. His life was ended all too soon, and he passed from this life on May 8th, 2023 at his home surrounded by those he loved. He was 69 years old.

Bill is preceded in death by his grandparents his mother and father and one sister.

He will be remembered by his wife, Christa of the home and his sons, Mark McCoy and wife Amanda McCoy of Ft. Gibson, OK, Alex McCoy of Tahlequah, Billy McCoy Jr. of Tahlequah, Matthew Cook and wife DeeAnna Cook of Bristow, OK, and John Cook and wife Amy Cook of Ft. Gibson, OK. He leaves his brothers and sister, Clarence McCoy of Inola, OK, Brenda McCoy of Muskogee, Rick McCoy and wife Maxine, of Muldrow, OK, Ronnie McCoy of Ft. Gibson, Tommy McCoy and wife Theresa of Muskogee, as well as his four grandchildren, Eden Cook, Avery Cook, Randi Cook, and Zoie Cook, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones too numerous to mention.

Funeral services for Billy Ray McCoy will be held on Thursday, May 18th, 2023 at 12:30 PM at Reed-Culver Chapel with his family paying tribute to his memory. He will be laid to rest at Ft. Gibson National Cemetery at 2:30 PM following chapel services.

Pallbearers for Billy include Mark McCoy, Billy McCoy Jr., Matthew Cook, Ricky McCoy, and Charlie Carroll.

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Wednesday, May 17th, 2023 from 2:00pm until 5:00pm at Reed-Culver Funeral Home. Online condolences for his family may be left at www.reedculver.com.