Billy Joe Oakley

Known to everyone as Bill, was born in Memphis, Texas on January 18, 1936 to Uvie and Irving Oakley.  They moved to Amarillo, Texas when he was young, where he graduated from Amarillo High School in 1954.  He was very active in school being a part of the Golden Gloves, Baseball team, Basketball team, and rode in the rodeo where he earned awards in all.  After high school, he went on to attend Amarillo Community College, where he played basketball and earned an associate degree in Business Administration in 1956.

He proudly served our country in the US Army in Company L, 39 ^th Infantry Regiment from July 1, 1957 to June 30, 1959.  After the Army, he moved back to Amarillo and worked for Sears Roebuck for 22 years as Visual Merchandise Manager, from there he went into Roofing Consultation for commercial and industrial roofs until he retired in 1999.  While he was working at Sears he began entering fishing tournaments which he loved to fish through out his life, he was also an avid hunter.

Bill was a member of the Masonic Lodge #713 in Amarillo for over 50 years, he joined the Shriners in 1980 as a member of the Kiva Oriental Band.  He later transferred to Houston's Shriner's Oriental Band where he served as president for the years of 1994, 2003 and 2010.  He and the love of his life, Barbara, moved to Galveston in 2019 where they have attended West Isle Presbyterian Church and made many friends.

Bill is preceded in death by: Parents- Uvie and Irving Oakley; Brother- Randall Don Oakley;  Grandson – Michael Savala; Mother of three of his children- Donna Jean Moore; Great Great Grandson- Jaxon Ray Newsom

Bill is survived by: Wife of 42 ½ years – Barbara; Son- Randy Oakley & wife, Pam; Daughter – Sandra Glynn & husband, Ed; Son – Kenny Oakley & wife, Chris; Daughter- Delonna Newsom & husband Hal; 11 Grandchidren; 13 Great Grandchildren; & 2 Great Great Grandchildren

In Lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be given to West Isle Presbyterian Church, Shriners Children's Hospital, or Lighthouse Charity Team.

The family will hold a Graveside service with Military Honors 10:45am Monday August 30, 2021 at Houston National Cemetery.

A public celebration of life service will be held at West Isle Presbyterian Church at 10:30 on Tuesday, August 31st.