Bill Copeland

Bill Copeland, 87, passed away on December 12, 2022, in Tuttle, OK.

Bill Copeland was born on September 19, 1935, 2 miles south of Tuttle on HWY 92 in a simple clapboard house to Clarence and Edith (Hardesty) Copeland. Older brother to Don and Carrol. At this home south of Tuttle, his father farmed with a team of horses. In 1941, his family moved to a home 1 mile North of Tuttle by way of a team of horses and wagon. North of Tuttle, the family acquired a tractor and electricity. Indoor plumbing and telephone were not to arrive at the home until after Bill graduated from Tuttle High School in 1953. Several years after the loss of his mother at the age of eight years old, Bill's father remarried which brought him two more brothers Jerry and Russell Rigsby. This humble depression era childhood-built character and a strong work ethic.

Bill’s interest in High School were FFA and Peggy Autry, who met and fell in love as teenagers. The two were married March 25, 1955. This union was to last 67 years. They were blessed with three children Bill, Jr., David and Steve. Following High School, Bill’s work ethic led him to graduate from Draughon’s Business School in Oklahoma City, followed by 2 years in retail at Bundy’s Western Store in downtown OKC, then to a 40-year career at W&W Steel Co. in Oklahoma City. He started in the paint shop at W&W Steel, steadily moving up in responsibility to the shipping office, Production Manager, then Vice President, Production Manager. Bill developed many lifelong friendships through W&W Steel.

Bill and Peggy lived for a few years in Oklahoma City after they were married, then built a home on acreage east of Tuttle. Bill enjoyed his work at W&W Steel immensely but was home every evening at 5:30 on the dot for dinner with the family. He enjoyed maintaining his home himself, woodworking, mowing and tending a huge garden every year. He genuinely loved his three boys and passed on his character and work ethic. Bill’s family camped with extended family at the Wichita Mountains and the Lake of the Arbuckles. As the boy’s grew older, he purchased a camper for the family pick-up, finishing the inside of the camper himself, then the family made annual vacation trips to many states.

For many years, Bill and Peggy worked with the family raising parakeets. (This side family “bird” business

helped fund family vacations and college savings.) Bill and Peggy hosted extended family events at Easter and Christmas for decades. There were up to 150 people attending these events. A dream of Bill’s at retirement was to build a large barn for these family gatherings. Several years before he retired from W&W Steel, he began to design this activity barn and have steel cut and saved for the build when he retired. A joy of Bill’s life was to become Papa to his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Bill was a lifelong member of the Tuttle United Methodist Church, serving on many committees. The

most notable was securing the steel from W&W Steel for the 3 distinctive crosses in front of the Methodist Church. These crosses hold the bell from the original Methodist Church bell tower.

Bill is survived by his son Bill Copeland Jr. and wife Sheri, son David Copeland and wife Kathy, son Steve Copeland and wife Kelly. Grandchildren: Emily Wicoff and husband Joshua, Carlie Copeland, Hannah Copeland, Chad Copeland and wife Heather, Courtney Bolner and husband Brandon, Kristen Irwin and

husband Kevin and Kyle Copeland. Great grandchildren: Hayden, McKinley, Paisley, Brynleigh, Duncan, Dakotah, Lyla, Amelia “Millie”, and Josephine; Sister Carrol Thomas.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents; wife Peggy; brother Don Copeland and stepbrothers Jerry Rigsby and Russell Rigsby. The family would like to thank Julie Chadwick and Briley Chadwick for their devoted care of Bill.

Memorial contributions in honor of Bill may be mailed to Tuttle United Methodist Church 402 South Cimarron Tuttle, OK, 73089 and Friends of the Tuttle Library P.O. Box 383 Tuttle, OK 73089.