Billy Joe Mcquain

Billy Joe McQuain was born November 15, 1930 in Bristow, Oklahoma. He was the son of Joseph Winn and Tressie Oleta McQuain. Billy was raised and attended school in Bristow, graduating from Bristow High School in 1948,

After graduation, Billy began working for the Water Department of the City of Bristow as a plumber. In February of 1949, Billy enlisted into the United States Army National Guard and began attending weekend drills. He was ordered into active military service on September 1, 1950. Billy served as a Sergeant during the Korean Conflict for which he earned the following decorations and citations, Army Occupation Medal (Japan), Korean Service Medal w/1 Bronze Star, United Nations Service Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge. Billy was honorably discharged from active duty on May 28, 1952.

Upon release from active duty, Billy returned to Bristow, Oklahoma. Billy was married to Frances Earlene Roe in Bristow, Oklahoma on March 2, 1961. The couple resided in Bristow until 1968 when they moved to Tulsa. Billy worked for several years as a welder for National Tank until the company closed. He then worked at different jobs utilizing his welding skill until he was hired by Uba was a shop foreman. He then accepted employment as a foreman for Oklahoma Boiler at the Port of Catossa. Later he began working for Hisco in Broken Arrow as a Welding Inspector until he retired in 1993.

Billy was a member of the First Church of God in Bristow, Oklahoma. He enjoyed all sports but especially enjoyed wrestling. He was an avid woodworker. Billy passed away on Thursday, September 27, 2001 at the Oklahoma Veteran's Center in Claremore, Oklahoma at the age of seventy years, ten months and twelve days. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Evelyn Rogers and a brother, Elery McQuain.

Billy is survived by his wife of forty years, Earlene of the home; four children and their spouses, Joe Ivan and Pam Wells of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Richard Wayne and Rhonda McQuain of Panama, Oklahoma, Sharron and James Reynolds of Blackburn, Oklahoma and Lavada Kay and Clint Walkup of Sapulpa, Oklahoma; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; three sisters, Betty and Doc Poston, Bristow, Oklahoma, Barbara Jean and John Carlson of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Phyllis Hall of Bristow, Oklahoma; two brothers, Alvin and Margaret Begley of Tucson, Arizona; Melvin and Thelma McQuain of Depew, Oklahoma.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Tuesday, October 2, 2001 at the Chapel of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home in Cleveland with Chris King officiating. Burial will be at the Blackburn Cemetery under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home.