William Gable Raetz

William Gable Raetz, age 91 of Oklahoma City, passed from this life on April 11, 2019 in Norman, Oklahoma. Services have been entrusted to the care of Advantage Funeral and Cremation Service located at 7720 S. Pennsylvania Ave in Oklahoma City and a service celebrating Bill’s life will be held at Ft. Sill National Cemetery on Friday, April 19th at 2pm.

William was born on February 26, 1928 in Cozad, Nebraska to William and Marie (Gable) Raetz. He was raised and attended school in San Luis Obispo, CA. In 1945, Bill enlisted in the US Navy where he would serve honorably as a Fireman First Class and a demolition expert. In 1947, he married Opal Marie Mathes Mayfield. Following his discharge from the Navy he purchased a farm near Seminole, OK. Several Years later he returned to San Luis Obispo where he began a long career as a delivery driver for a transport company which eventually led him to become a heavy equipment recovery specialist. Bill returned to Oklahoma in 2008 to be near his girls and grandkids.

Bill was an easy going guy who enjoyed shooting, fishing, bowling, and classic cars. He loved the street-rod scene and was very proud of his 1956 Ford Truck. While in CA he served as a reserve deputy sheriff and was a member of the Sheriff’s Posse, a group utilized to search for missing persons on horseback. He was a member of both the American Legion and the Eagles Lodge in San Luis Obispo.

Bill Raetz made many wonderful memories in his 91 years of life and he will be missed by all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of many years Mary Raetz, daughter Faye Sterling Mitchel, a sister Evelyn Wamsley, and the mother of his children Opal Mathes Mayfield. Bill is survived by his 5 children, 15 grandkids, 18 great grandkids, 3 great great grandkids, as well as numerous other beloved friends and family.

Condolences may be sent to the family via an online guestbook at advantageokc.com