William “Bill” Wickliffe, Jr. was born on Oct. 24, 1935 in Kenwood, Oklahoma to William, Sr. and
Caroline (Smith) Wickliffe. A cowboy at heart, golf enthusiast and family man, he parted this life
on Feb. 13, 2021 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma at the age of 85. Bill was full-blood Cherokee and
Cherokee was his first language. He graduated from Pryor High School in 1955. Bill joined the
United States Army in 1958, serving in Fort Carson, Colorado; Fort Ord, California; Fort Lewis,
Washington, and Korea where he was a tank mechanic. On May 19, 1962 in Miami, Oklahoma,
Bill and Mary Lue McGraw were united in marriage. The couple was married for more than 58
years. Together, they were members of Life Fellowship Church in Pryor.
For 31 years Bill worked as a service technician for Sears, Roebuck and Co. He was a member of
the American Legion in Pryor and was the Grand Master of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows. He held top leadership offices in Cantons, Encampment and Odd Fellows. As IOOF
Grand Master for Oklahoma, Bill had the honor of laying a wreath in 2016 at the Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. For many years Bill coached his
girls’ softball teams, and his team was the only team in the league that played on the old OKC
89ers field in Oklahoma City. Bill enjoyed listening to country and western music, going to
rodeos, playing golf, traveling and telling stories of growing up in Kenwood.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, Feb. 19, 2021 at Shipman’s Funeral Home Chapel
in Pryor. Burial will follow at Graham Memorial Cemetery in Pryor, Oklahoma. Casket Bearers
are Walter Buffalomeat, Bill Ryan Buffalomeat, Danny Crittenden, Gary Smith, Mike Renfroe
and Gregory Renfroe. Honorary Casket bearers are Jim Earl Proctor, Gerald Mouse and Kelly
Renfroe. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 18 at Shipman’s Funeral Home.
Bill was proceeded in death by his parents William and Caroline Wickliffe and son-in-law Eric
Kast. He is survived by his wife Mary Lue of the home, two daughters, Stephanie Wickliffe and
Sherry Kast; three grandchildren, Walter Buffalomeat and wife Regina, Caroline Buffalomeat,
and Bill Ryan Buffalomeat. He also had three great grandchildren Isaiah and Jace Buffalomeat
and Stella Buffalomeat.
To leave a message for Bill’s family, please visit his Tribute Wall at
wwww.shipmansfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Shipman’s Funeral
and Cremation Service. In lieu of flowers, Mary Lue has requested memorial donations for
Team Eric with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Thursday, February 18, 2021
6:00 - 8:00 pm (Central time)
Shipman's Funeral & Cremation Service
Friday, February 19, 2021
Starts at 2:00 pm (Central time)
Shipman's Funeral & Cremation Service
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