William Emerson "Bill" Meneley

William Emerson "Bill" Meneley of Ada went to be with our Lord and Savior on October 29, 2017 in Ardmore, OK.

Bill was born June 8, 1929 in Luling, TX to William Charles and Nellie Mae (Bowles) Meneley.  When he was six years old, his mother passed away following an illness and his father then married Nell Mae Thiem.

Following high school graduation, Bill joined the U.S. Navy in 1948 and became an Electronics Technician II.  He served in the Korean War and was aboard the USS Frank E. Evans during the Blockade of Wonsan.  After four years of service, he was honorably discharged in 1952.

He began a rewarding and extensive career of over 50 years in the oil and gas industry after his Naval service.  Starting out as a roustabout, he worked his way up and became Head Production Superintendent.  His work took him around the globe to places such as Libya, Peru, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Indonesia and points all over the United States.  He was all about safety on the job and at home.  In the early 90's, he also worked as a "Safety Man" on a fiber optic line project in Florida.

Bill was a staunch Texan and Irishman and was extremely proud of his heritage.  He was a descendant of Sion Record Bostick, who was a member of a group of young Texans who captured the escaping Mexican General Santa Anna after the Battle of San Jacinto, during the Texas War for Independence in 1836.

He loved spending time in Texas and with his family.  He enjoyed deep-sea fishing, Westerns and James Bond movies, historical shows and repairing things in his work shop.  He was an avid reader of novels and periodicals.

Bill is survived by his wife, Betty Jo (Boyd) Meneley, of the home, three daughters - Kelly Meneley-Brown & husband, Danny, of Pleasanton, TX, Dr. Terry Meneley-Devall of Collierville, TN, Debbie Hightower-Liljequist & husband, K.C., of Ada and two sons - William Michael Meneley of Mathis, TX, and Mark Hightower of Ada.

"Tata" was dearly loved by his twelve grandchildren; Michelle Renèe Midget of Pleasanton, TX, William Zachary Meneley & wife, Jennifer, of San Antonio, TX, William Kraemer Meneley & wife, Christy, of Modera Ranchos, CA, Thad Bryant & wife, Alice, of Pleasanton, TX, Kelsey McDaniel and Eli McDaniel both of Pleasanton, TX, Ashley Fay Mize & husband, Boomer, of Oakland, TN, Andrew Devall of Collierville, TN, Devon Liljequist of Ada, Dakotah Gerwin & husband, Wes, of San Antonio, TX, Sienna Cimochowski & husband, Eddie, of Misawa, Amori, Japan,  Daniel Brown IV & wife, Ysabel, of The Woodlands, TX, and his six great-grandchildren; Chloè, Taylor, Chris & Keilani Bryant and Maci McDaniel all of Pleasanton, TX and Porter James Beaty of Ada.

He is also survived by  sister Mitzi Staewen-Overly of San Antonio, TX, as well as two nieces and a nephew, Victoria Rich, Jill Brooks and Dr. Robert Scott Staewen.

He was preceded in death by his father, mother and his stepmother, Nell Mae B. Thiem-Meneley and a grandson, Chris Hightower.

A "Celebration of Life" service will be held at Trinity Baptist Church, Ada, OK on Thursday, November 9 ^th , 2017 at 10 a.m.