William Beauchamp Selman

William Selman Obituary Services to honor and remember William (Bill) Beauchamp Selman are at 10:00 AM Monday, January 13, 2020 at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Bill passed away on Wednesday, January 8, 2020. Bill was 74 years old. He will be remembered for his dedication to his family, quick wit and steadfast kindness. Bill was born in Oklahoma City, OK on April 15, 1945. He graduated from Edison High School in 1963 and subsequently, in 1967 graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. While attending college, Bill was an intramural swimmer and for three years played on the Northwestern varsity soccer team. After college and at the height of the Vietnam conflict Bill volunteered to enlist with the U.S. Marine Corps and for nine months attended Officers Training School in Quantico, VA.In August 1968, Bill deployed for 13 months to serve in Vietnam, first as a Lieutenant with the command of the 3rd Platoon, India Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines and later as a Historical Officer for the 3rd Marine Division. His infantry combat platoon consisted of approximately 60 men under his command. After Vietnam, Bill volunteered for assignment as a platoon commander with the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines with the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea where he served until 1970. For his service in Vietnam Bill was awarded the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. Bill was proud of his military service and enjoyed retelling his deployment stories to his family and friends.After his military service, Bill attended law school at the University of Oklahoma, obtaining a Juris Doctor degree in 1973. Upon graduation, Bill joined the law firm of Cheek, Cheek & Cheek in Oklahoma City, then a year later he joined the law firm of Rhodes, Hieronymus, Jones, Tucker, and Gable in Tulsa where he worked until 1990. In May 1990, Bill organized the law firm of Selman & Stauffer, Inc., then in 1996, he organized Selman & Associates, Inc. where he worked until he retired. Bill was active in various legal associations as a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association, Tulsa County Bar Association, and a member of the Tulsa Estate Planning Forum. Bill cared about others more than himself and was always ready to put a positive spin on his clients’ issues. Practicing law provided countless opportunities to improve his clients’ lives and he often talked about his enjoyment in helping others.It was during law school when Bill met the love of his life, Jean Marie Burford. Bill and Jean met on a blind date the couple’s fathers arranged while traveling to an OU football game, and on August 12, 1971, Bill & Jean were married. For over 48 years they lived in Tulsa raising five children and active in the lives of their 14 grandchildren. Bill was a family man finding happiness in his children’s activities coaching youth basketball and soccer. He was known to his family as a peaceful father always willing to listen to, and problem-solve with, his children. His consistent supporting reminder to his children was “don’t forget, you’re the greatest!”During his life Bill was active in several organizations as a counselor for the Kanakuk Kamps near Branson, MO., a 36-year member of the Rotary Club of Tulsa, Church of Saint Mary, Tulsa Ducks Unlimited, The Metropolitan YMCA Board of Greater Tulsa, and the Downtown Tulsa YMCA, serving a year as the organization’s Chairman. Bill was proud to serve as the Chairman of the RAT Patrol, a Committee of the Rotary Club of Tulsa, which he built and installed 89 park benches in 29 parks throughout Tulsa.Bill had several hobbies and was a constant explorer. He enjoyed family genealogy mapping, bowling, playing golf, computer games, swimming, and OU football. Bill spent over 40 years swimming at the Downtown Tulsa YMCA and the Tandy Family YMCA creating lifetime friendships with many patrons. Many times he would stop and teach children swimming strokes he perfected over the years. While on vacation several years ago, Bill was proud he skydived on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii at the young age of 61. Bill’s family remembers several summer road trips, in the family station wagon, exploring the country from coast to coast. He would never take the shortest route, instead choosing to stop and sightsee as they traveled across the country. Bill was known to set off on all-day hikes to rediscover the countryside, collect rocks, connect with his children and he never missed an opportunity to explore a cave! Several times he would hike to a hilltop to erect a teepee to the amusement of his children. Bill had a saying “the map is not the territory” compelling him and others to experience the many natural pleasures in life. He and his family enjoyed decades of summers at Wauhillau Outing Club in Welling, OK and winters duck hunting at the family’s duck camp near Okmulgee, OK. Countless memories were created with his family playing cards, croquet, ping pong, shuffleboard, swimming, hunting, and storytelling. These memories will carry on for generations within his family. Bill was preceded in death by his mother and father Jeanne and Beau Selman.He is survived by his adoring and devoted wife of more than 48 years, Jean Selman, and has left a legacy of loving children and grandchildren including daughters Mary (Selman) Kaiser and husband, Bill and Wendy (Selman) Macha and husband, Brian; and his sons, Richie Selman and wife, Katherine, Charlie Selman and wife, Jill and Scott Selman and wife, Meredith. Bill cherished his 14 grandchildren Will Kaiser 20, Matthew Kaiser 18, Beau Selman 16, Amy Kaiser 14, Bella Selman 11, Lydia Selman 10, Savannah Selman 10, Claire Selman 7, Henry Selman 7, Charlie Selman 7, Levi Selman 6, Grant Selman 5, Sandy Macha 4, and Gage Selman 2. Also surviving and missing him dearly are his brothers and sister and their spouses, Bob and Ellen Selman, Chuck and Kathy Selman and Lynda (Selman) and Mike Swenton. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. If you were privileged enough to know Bill Selman you know him for his compassion, generosity, kindness, and character. The family has asked that you direct memorial contributions in the name of William B. Selman, to the Aquatics Program at the Tandy Family YMCA at 5005 S. Darlington Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74135. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William Beauchamp Selman, please visit our floral store. Read More

William Beauchamp Selman

April 15, 1945 - January 8, 2020