William Gilbert Oakes, most known as Billy or Sug, passed peacefully on May 23, 2020 with his loving family by his side. Bill was born June 11, 1938 in Cushing, Oklahoma to Everly and Barbara Oakes. He was a 1956 graduate of Cushing High School, where he competed in football, basketball and baseball. Bill was quite the dancer. He auditioned to compete on the show, American Bandstand, where he placed 2nd finishing his performance with his signature move, “the splits.” Bill went on to graduate from Central State University, earning a degree in Business Marketing. Bill began his career with a 17 year run at Carpenter Paper Company followed by a long successful career in the golf industry working for the likes of Izod Lacoste and Ashworth. Accomplishments in his golf sales career were many, most notably being recognized as Salesman of the Year multiple occasions.
In 1961, he met his beautiful bride to be, Ferrelyn Kay Gates at the 89er Day Parade in Guthrie, Oklahoma. They went on to marry August 23, 1963 and began their family by having two dearly loved children, Jeff and Julie, followed by his pride and joys, four grandchildren who gave him the beloved name “Sug”. The family was very involved in the community, members of Westminster Presbyterian Church where Bill served as a deacon, Elder and participant of the Pan American Mission Foundation. Bill also had a grand love for the game of golf and became a very accomplished player. He was president of The Greens Country Club, later becoming a long time member of Quail Creek Golf & Country Club. While at Quail Creek, Bill played golf several times a week, which was usually accompanied by a heated game of Gin Rummy at the 19th Hole with a special group of guys who became lifelong friends. Bill was known most for giving sound advice on life. He always offered a smile, a hug and a listening ear. Everyone recognized how Bill enjoyed a full life, putting God and family above all things. He would say “if you got that part right, everything else will follow.” Most recently he was known to share with many the gift of a framed quote that had become his motto, “Give it to God and Go to Sleep.”
Bill was blessed with a wonderful and loving family. He was preceded in death by his parents Everly Franklin (E.F.) and Barbara Oakes and sister Beverly Ann Oakes. He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 57 years, Ferrelyn Gates Oakes; son Jeffrey Robert Oakes (Staci Stallings Oakes) of Edmond, OK and their two children Henry (Hank) Turner, and Everly Faith; daughter Julie Oakes Affolder of Oklahoma City, OK and her two children Caroline “Grace” and Gates Rigsby (Riggs) Affolder; brother Tom Oakes (Barbara) of Leawood, KS; sister Sue Archambo (Charles) of Tulsa, OK; a sister-in-law Lady Patricia Laker of Davie, FL; and adored nieces and nephews. Bill never met a stranger and was always good for a laugh, collecting a lifetime full of friends.
We always imagined we would hold a gathering at Westminster Presbyterian Church to celebrate Bill’s life. Following Recommended Covid-19 Restrictions, the Memorial Service will be held June 1, 2020 at Westminster Presbyterian Church 4400 N Shartel Ave. at 1:00 pm with limited accommodations available; social distancing and masks required. For your convenience, the service will be available on livestream and will remain available for viewing anytime at Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/wpcokc and Church Website online live stream: https://www.wpcokc.com/live-streaming The family welcomes only those who feel they are comfortable and physically able to join in person. We are blessed to live in an age where we have technology that allows us to still be a community; together, apart.
The Oakes family would like to thank everyone who has already reached out to express how Bill’s life made an impact. Online memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.hahncookfuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church Foundation, or the ALS Association.
