William Thomas Schultz, Sr.

Services for William Thomas Schultz Sr., 76, of Ada, Oklahoma, are 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 23, 2026, at the Criswell Funeral Home Chapel; Pastor Zac Christian will officiate. Burial will follow at Denney Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday at Criswell Funeral Home.

Tom passed away on 10/17/26 surrounded by his sons and loved ones.

Tom was born on 4/9/1950 in Birmingham Alabama to Cordia Talmadge and Venice Phillipi Schultz. He grew up in Pleasant Grove, Alabama and graduated from Huey Town High School in 1969. He then went on to attend Jefferson State Community College where he graduated with his RN degree in 1973. He loved traveling and was able to blend that with his nursing career, working in Pine Ridge, SD, Blackfoot Reservation in Browning Montana, Navajo Reservation in Chinle, Arizona, Navajo Reservation in Crownpoint New Mexico, but Ada was always home. He ultimately retired from Chickasaw Nation Medical Center, after 42 years of nursing. He was a lifelong member of the Elk’s Lodge. He had a great passion for all things music, playing guitar, singing and performing. Sharing his love for music was a huge hobby of his. Playing and performing with his dear friend Jimmy Tignor was an enormous part of his life after retirement.

His greatest pride and love were his two sons, Tommy and Jake. As a single father, he dedicated himself to raising his sons and was proud of their achievements. He was known for his honesty and steadfastness as a father, always doing his best for his family.

He will be honored and remembered by his eldest son William Thomas Schultz Jr. and wife Marylen Schultz, their children Venus, William Thomas III, and Cordia. His youngest son James Talmadge Schultz and wife Amanda Schultz, his son Seth Schultz and their daughters Olivia and Adeline.

William Thomas is also remembered by his brother Dale Schultz and wife Vera, his niece Rachel Gray, his cousin John Harding, cousin Barbara Jean Christian and her husband Tom, and dear friends Dirk Bryant, Dave Bryant, and Ralania Carter, ex-wife Peggy Colbert. He was preceded in death by his parents, Cordia and Venice Schultz, as well as his brother Donald Schultz.

Above all, William Thomas will be remembered for the positive impact he made in the lives of others—someone always dependable and committed to those he loved.

Bearers are Jake Schultz, Tommy Schultz, Seth Schultz, Dirk Bryant, Dave Bryant, and J.R. Galemore. Honorary bearers are Tuc Schultz, Cordia Schultz, and Scottie Bryant.