William "Bill" Wickliffe, Jr.

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.