ENID —
William “Bill” Stengle, a man with an innate sense of adventure who was devoted to his family and had a talent for invention, passed away Friday, January 11, 2013, in Enid, Okla., following a stroke after a great run of 95 years. Service is 2 p.m. Tuesday at Henninger-Hinson Funeral Home Chapel in Enid.
Born June 23, 1917, in Morrison, Okla., to Theo and Emma (Vasek) Stengle, he grew up working in his father’s garage and blacksmith machine shop. Always creative and ambitious, he built a working model steam engine at age 6, and at 13 created his own hay-mowing business by converting a Model T into a mower. In high school, he displayed his fearlessness by completing a popular high school rite of passage: climbing to the top of the town’s water tower to emblazon it with his name. As an adult, his projects included converting a truck into a cab-over dump bed truck and a riding lawn mower into a snowplow.
With the outbreak of World War II, Bill volunteered for U.S. Army Air Corps. As a second lieutenant, he flew planes, including B-25s and B-26s, among others, as he trained in the U.S. for war. The war ended just weeks before he was to be sent to fight in the Pacific.
It was during World War II he met his future wife while visiting his sister in Wichita, Kan. Pearl Paris had left the family farm in Dacoma, Okla., to attend business school and was working as a secretary to the police chief when her roommate’s brother came for a visit. Bill and Pearl were married Nov. 24, 1946.
After the war, Bill began work as a machinist at George E. Failing Company in Enid. He quickly became tool room supervisor, known for his ability to create any mechanism needed. He retired after a 45-year career. During those years, he built and raced midget racers, enjoyed Harley and Indian motorcycles and started a family. For extra income, he began drilling water wells with a rig he built himself.
He was always the go-to guy for family and friends for solid, honest advice. He also had the enthusiasm to constantly learn new things and keep up with technology. He would help anyone, anytime. He loved nothing more than being with his family, from drinking Pepsi floats on his front porch with his grandchildren to piling everyone in his motor home for vacations. He especially loved visiting the mountains of Colorado.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Pearl, who died in 1990 after a fight with cancer. He was also preceded in death by siblings Bernice Peck and Howard Stengle.
He is lovingly survived by son Jim Stengle and his wife Dixie of Oklahoma City and their daughters Jamie Stengle of Dallas, Julie Stengle of Kansas City and Jennifer Chambers and husband Chris Chambers of Overland Park, Kan.; daughter Judy Mitchell and husband Don of Stillwater and their sons Taylor and Austin Mitchell; son Joe Stengle of Enid, his son Chad Stengle and wife Stephanie of Comanche and Joe’s daughter Hilary Stengle and Travis Cue of Waukomis. He is also survived by his family’s newest additions: great-grandchildren Logan Stengle, Kaylee Stengle, Eric Chambers and Teegan Cue. He is also survived by his sister, Geneva Landsdowne of Wichita.
Condolences at www.enidwecare.com.
(Submitted by family)
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William “Bill” Stengle
Published 1-14-13
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Marlene Elaine Davis
Graveside service for Mrs. Marlene Elaine Davis, 79, of Lahoma, will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 22, 2013, in Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Lahoma, with Pastor Eric Brown officiating under the kind guidance of Stittsworth Funeral Service.
She was born in Lahoma on Nov. 12, 1933, to Gilbert and Elna (Holz) Moehle and passed away Tuesday, May 14, 2013, in Enid.
As a child, Marlene was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Lahoma.
After completing the Lutheran school, Marlene graduated from Lahoma High School and attended nursing school at Bass Hospital in Enid.
She married Donald Davis. -
Mary I. 'Jean' Koch
Memorial service for Jean Koch, 73, of Perry, Okla., will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 22, 2013, at Church of Christ, Perry. Private family burial in Grace Hill Cemetery. Arrangements by Brown-Dugger Funeral Home, Perry. Visitation with family 6-8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Mary was born May 28, 1939, in Success, Ark., to James E. and Lucile (Keelin) Flanigan and died Sunday, May 18, 2013, in Perry. -
Thomas Ross Owens
Memorial service for Thomas Ross Owens, 71, of Enid, will be 11 a.m. Friday, May 24, 2013, at Memorial Park Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel. Arrangements by Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.
Thomas was born March 17, 1942, in Muldrow, Okla., to James and Nezzie Carter Owens and died Saturday, May 18, 2013, in Enid.
Surviving are son, Thomas Owens Jr. of Enid; daughters, Carole Ford of Red Bluff, Calif., Kristi Patricio of Sonora, Calif., and Irene Owens of Shawnee; seven grandchildren; and his siblings. -
Mary (Ball) Boren
Funeral service for Mary Boren, 56, formerly of Waynoka, will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 22, 2013, at Elm Grove Community Church, with Pastor Orville White officiating. Burial will be in Elm Grove Cemetery, directed by Redinger Funeral Home, Seiling.
She died Monday, May 20, 2013, at Midwest City Regional Hospital. -
Marie Brandt
Memorial service for Marie Brandt, 90, will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 22, 2013, at First Baptist Church, Bethany. Arrangements by Mercer-Adams Funeral Service, Bethany, Okla.
Marie was born Dec. 24, 1922, in Guthrie, Okla., to Jewett S. Sr. and Gladys Grace (Wicker) Scott and died Sunday, May 19, 2013. She married Ben Brandt in June 1946.
Preceded by husband, Ben, and one sister.
Surviving are children, Becky Butler, Ben Brandt Jr., Beverly Graham and Beth Pershall; brothers, Jewett Scott Jr.; sisters, Judy Smith and Jill Talley; 11 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. -
Charlie Lee Leedom Porter
Funeral for Charlie Porter, 85, of Fay, Okla., will be 10 a.m. today, May 21, 2013, at the Methodist Church in Fay. Burial in Liberty Cemetery, Fay. Arrangements by Wilkinson Mortuary, Watonga.
Charlie was born Dec. 26, 1927, near Hinton, Okla., to A.W. and Edna Hamilton Leedom and died Friday, May 17, 2013.
She married John Henry Porter in March 1948.
Preceded by husband, John, one son and one brother. -
Wayne A. Leamon
Service pending with Wharton Funeral Chapel, Alva.
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Sue Ann Graham
Funeral service for Sue Ann Graham, 60, will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at Enid First Assembly of God Church with Pastor Dan Barrick, Mr. Steve Dow and Mr. David White officiating.
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Tamara Austin
There will be a private family memorial service at a later date for Tamara Austin, 43-year-old Enid resident.
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Mary Boyer
Memorial service for Mary Boyer, 66, of Enid, will be at 1 p.m. Monday, May 20, 2013, at Brown-Cummings Funeral Home Chapel.
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