Billy Joe Towery's Obituary
Billy Towery Obituary
Bill, as he was known, lost his long-fought battle with cancer on Friday morning, June 7th, 2023 in his home under the care of his wife Loeta and son David. He was 87.Bill was born August 9, 1935 in Hatton, Arkansas, to James Mark Towery, Sr. and Frenchie Daniels Towery. As the fifth child he had one older brother and 4 sisters. The family later moved to Snyder, Oklahoma where he attended school and graduated from Snyder High School in 1956. Bill loved sports and had a natural God-given talent for everything athletic. He excelled in football and track, and Loeta described watching him on the field was like watching "poetry in motion." Bill received many scholarship offers from several universities but, wanting to stay closer to home, he chose Cameron University in Lawton, Oklahoma. Unfortunately, due to an injury, his football career and education were abruptly ended.Upon learning about a company in Trona, California that was paying good money Bill and his friends, and many families from Snyder, relocated there for a new beginning.In June of 1957 Bill returned to Snyder to marry his high school sweetheart, Loeta Allen. The newlyweds joined their friends in Trona embracing their new life with enthusiasm, and Bill continued his work in the lab of the American Potash & Chemical Corporation. With less than a year into their new life Bill received his draft notice from the U.S. Army. His friends find it hard to believe that he wrote letters to Loeta every night while he was away. Upon completion of his training he was assigned to Ft. Benjamin Harrison, Indiana where he worked in the hospital and received training as a medic, a field for which he found a great passion. He even assisted in delivering of their first baby, Billy Neal, born April 1959.Upon completion of Bill's tour of duty the Towery's returned to Oklahoma and began their life again in Altus where he pursued a new career as manager of a Wackers Variety Store. This too would be interrupted in 1961 by another call from the Army. This time he was assigned to the Evac Hospital in Ft. Sill Base in Lawton. They rented a little house in Snyder so Bill was able to perform his duty but still spend time with his family. Here they made a very important decision: to let the Army pay for the birth of another child, and David Joe was born in 1962. Upon his second discharge Bill moved his family to Big Spring, Texas. Their first priority was to provide a good life for their family and when their boys were both in school Bill continued his education attending night classes at Howard College while working full time as Supply and Distribution Manager for W.R. Grace.In 1979, following a promotion from his company, Bill, Loeta and their son David moved to Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, leaving their older son Billy who chose to stay in Texas. After his retirement Bill continued working at various jobs, including several years at Walmart assembling furniture and bicycles. At Christmas time he worked non-stop assembling hundreds of bikes. His co-workers gave him the name "Bicycle Bill" and the kids in the neighborhood knew they could bring their bikes to him for repairs.Bill was an active member of Southpark Community Church and credited his Pastor, Skip Pettit for his decision to accept Christ as his Savior. He served in the Church, including working on a large construction job remodeling the church building.Bill is preceded in death by his son, Billy Neal Towery; his parents, James and Frenchie Towery; his brother, Mark Towery; and sisters: Helen Weaver, Laverne Snow, and Sandra Hughes.He is survived by his wife, Loeta; his son, David Towery and wife, Lisa of Claremore, Ok; his sister, Juanita Ellis of Poplar Bluff, Missouri; grandson, Staff Sgt. Brad Towery serving in the Marines; grandson, Dustin Towery of Tulsa; grandson, Michael Towery of Florida; granddaughter, Sonya Carlson of Newport, North Carolina; granddaughter, Jada Sain and her Fiance', Sam Martin of Claremore, OK; grandson, Justin Chapman of Nowata, OK; twelve nieces and nephews, fifteen great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter due in November.Together Bill and Loeta have shared their memories with hearts of gratitude countless times and always summed it up with: "We have had a great life," and affirm that statement with: "That kind of life is a gift from God and it is family and friends who make it special so that it lasts a lifetime." Their love and appreciation is extended to all those family members and friends here today.In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in memory of Bill to A-Vow Hospice, 2400 N. Hemlock Circle, Broken Arrow, OK 74012.A memorial service will be 11:00 am Saturday, July 22, 2023 at RiverCrest Chapel and Event Center.
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