William Terrell

William George Terrell, 56, passed away Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at ST. John's Medical Center in Tulsa. He was born April 2, 1957 in Tahlequah to Georgia F. (Warren) and Bill Terrell. Bill grew up in Tahlequah and was a 1975 graduate of Tahlequah High School. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from OSU in 1979. Bill was also a graduate of Oklahoma Farrier College. Shortly after graduating from OSU, Bill went to work in the Tahlequah office of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. It began a career that would span 35 years and placed Bill in Atoka, Nowata from 1982-1995 and Vinita from 1995 until his retirement January 3, 2013. He was an Area Specialist for Rural Development with the USDA and a long time member, supporter and past president of the National Association of Credit Specialists of USDA, as well as recipient of their highest award. Bill was a member of the Nowata Round-Up Club and the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association. He loved the rodeo as a younger man, bull riding and saddle-bronc riding and continued to mentor younger riders. Naturally, Bill loved horses and working cattle, but he also enjoyed woodworking and making rope baskets. His great joy was catching wild hogs, especially if he could outrun Jeff to one. Bill married Debra A. Duren on March 6, 2005 at Hillsboro, Oregon. The couple made their home in rural Nowata. Bill is survived by his wife Debra of the home; three children, Blaire Nichols Grubbs and husband Daniel of Portland, Oregon, Megan Oswald and husband Blake of Lubbock, Texas, Paul Austin of Lubbock, Texas; two brothers, Billie Dean Thompson of Kilgore, Texas, Joel Thompson of Tulsa, OK; two sisters, Ramona Holt and Alma Denise Ferguson both of Tahlequah; two grandchildren, William and Wyatt Oswald and numerous nieces and nephews. Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Georgia Terrell and two sisters, Sheila Benson and Cheryl Terrell. Funeral services for William "Bill" George Terrell are 11:00 a.m., Monday, April 15, 2013 at the Nowata Round Up Club Arena with Pastor Dean Bridges officiating. Interment will follow at Nowata Memorial Park Cemetery. Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemories.com. Memorials in Bill's name may be sent to the Nowata Round-Up Club at P.O. Box 255 Nowata, Oklahoma 74048. Friends are asked to bring their branding iron and their favorite story about Bill.

Visitation Details

Friday, April 12th, 2013 8:00am - 5:00pm, Benjamin Funeral Home

Thursday, April 11th, 2013 5:00pm - 9:00pm, Benjamin Funeral Home

Saturday, April 13th, 2013 8:00am - 5:00pm, Benjamin Funeral Home

Service Details

Monday, April 15th, 2013 11:00am, Nowata Round Up Club Arena

Interment Details

Nowata Memorial Park Cemetery