William H. Orr

Orr, William Harry, born on May 31, 1926 to Dr. and Mrs. Harry Orr. Bill grew up in Stillwater, OK. He attended Stillwater public schools and graduated from Stillwater High School in 1944. Bill was an Eagle Scout and joined the Navy at 17 years old. He proudly served on the USS destroyer escort Robert E. Peary in the Atlantic and Pacific during WWII. Following his honorable discharge, Bill returned to Stillwater and enrolled at Oklahoma A&M (OSU) where he became a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity and later received a degree in mechanical engineering. While attending OSU, Bill met JoAnn Bramlett whom he later married. Shortly after moving to OKC, where their son, Tom, was born in 1953, Bill went to work for Dick Swan Air Conditioning. In 1960, Bill co-founded Harrison-Orr Air Conditioning with Lewis (Junior) Harrison. His wife, JoAnn preceded him in death in 1981. He later married Marilyn Smelser in 1982. They spent 28 wonderful years together with their family. Bill enjoyed traveling, sailing, woodworking and spending time at their house at Lake Hiwassee. Some of his interests included John Wayne and Navy movies, Laurel & Hardy television shows, a good cup of coffee and puzzles. He was also an active member of First Presbyterian Church, Downtown Rotary Club 29, the OKC boat club, Power Squadron and was a lifelong passionate supporter of his OSU Cowboys. He was preceded in death by his sister, Jean and brothers-in-law Robert Donaldson and Leroy Christy. Survivors include his wife, Marilyn; son, Tom; stepsons, David Smelser and wife Andrea, Scott Smelser and wife Kelly; Grandchildren, Clint Orr, Monica Compton, Lindsay Chrisman and husband Daniel, Kylie & Kristin Smelser; Great-grandchildren, William and Samuel Compton and Avery Orr; Niece, Judy Baker & family; Nephew, Robert Donaldson, Jr. & family. The family would like to thank friends, family, Hospice of Oklahoma County, Visiting Angels and the employees at Harrison-Orr for all of their help and support during Bill’s illness. A visitation will be held on Sunday between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. at Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held 10:30 a.m. on Monday, November 1, 2010 at The First Presbyterian Church in Oklahoma City. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: First Presbyterian Church, 1001 N.W. 25th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73106; Oklahoma State University Foundation, P.O. Box 1749, Stillwater, OK 74076-1749 and Boy Scouts of America, 3013 N.W. 64th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73116.