Published: May 16, 2008 09:45 pm            

William M. Terry

Published 5-17-08

Enid, OK — William M. Terry, 87, passed away on Wednesday, May 14, 2008, at Reno County Hospice House. He was born July 14, 1920, at Yoakum, Texas, the son of Walter W. and Sue A. Moody Terry.

His mother passed away when he was eight and he then went to Bentonville, AK to live with his aunt. He graduated from high school in Bentonville. He attended William and Mary College in Norfolk, VA. He also attended Instructor School, Memphis State College, Memphis, TN, and San Diego State College. He joined the Navy in September 1939, and retired as a Chief Petty Officer in 1961. While serving in the Navy he worked as an Aviation Chief Machinist, Navy Air Technical Training Instructor, an Anti Submarine Squad Maintenance Chief and as a U.S. Navy Recruiter. From 1961 to 2004, he was employed as a stockbroker in Hutchinson, KS, and retired from Oppenheimer & Co., in 2004. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church and the Naval Fleet Reserve. He also headed an investor club for many years.

He married Betty Pauline Austin on October 8, 1944, at Bentonville, AK. She passed away on March 24, 1999.

He is survived by a son, William M. Terry, Jr., and his wife, Vicki of Plano, TX; Tina Torline and her husband, Dan of Dodge City, KS, and Lynn Hermanski and her husband, Jerry of Enid, OK; twelve grandchildren, Brad and Scott Terry, both of Plano, Texas, Stacey Foster and her husband, Luke, and Lisa Torline and her companion, Matt Maher, both of Hutchinson, Chris Torline and his wife, Dr. Shelley Alexander of Overland Park, KS, Kevin Torline and his wife Kristi of Broken Arrow, OK, Diana Burnett and her husband, Matt of Merriam, KS, Nick Torline and his wife, Teresa of Derby KS, Jeff O’Neil and his wife, Allane of Dallas, Texas, Elizabeth Cole and her fiance, John Huse of McKinney, Texas, Jeff Hermanski and his wife, Pam of Edmond, OK, and Jason Hermanski of Tulsa, OK; twelve great-grandchildren; and a sister, Jane McCain of Arlington, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, and a sister, Sue M. Little.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 19, 2008, at Trinity United Methodist Church with Rev. Pat Ault-duel presiding. Interment will follow in Penwell-Gabel Cemetery & Mausoleum. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. on Sunday at Penwel-Gabel Funeral Home and Crematory with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. to greet friends.

Memorials may be given to Trinity United Methodist Church, Buhler Sunshine Meadows Retirement Community or Reno County Hospice House in care of the funeral home.

To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabel.com.

(Paid Obit 5-17-1)