Bill Donald Albee

William “Billy” Donald Albee, a father, grandfather, builder, fixer-upper, and world’s best driver, died January 30, 2025 after a valiant fight with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the nervous system disease known as ALS.

Bill was an Okie throughout his life, born to Robert “Bob” Earl Albee, Sr. and Mary Jo Albee at St. Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City on January 17, 1958, joining a family of siblings that included Robert “Bobby” Albee, Jr., Rodney Albee, and Melinda Ozment. He later looked after his little bonus brother, David Albee, with the help of his sister, Melinda.

He had exceptional taste in women and married the love of his life, Brenda Gayle Albee, in 1979. They met through mutual friends while working at the TG&Y five and dime, and he took her to see Eric Clapton on their first date. Months later, he went to a Led Zeppelin concert with friends, instead of her, but he never made the mistake again, taking her to see Eddie Money, Fleetwood Mac, and Journey, among other rock and roll legends. In turn, she watched more stock car races than she ever really wanted. Both of them were happiest when they were at each other’s side.

Bill graduated from Southeast High School in Oklahoma City, where according to yearbook inscriptions, he was admired for his good looks and feats of wrestling. After a brush with competitive bowling, he attended the university of Hands-On Experience, learning how to complete professional paint jobs and construction projects from a few companies before branching off with his own business, Bill Albee Homes. The opposite of a hack, he took painstaking care to finish his projects as close to perfection as possible; his only fault was underbidding his own work at times. Bill’s greatest professional accomplishment was building nine houses, with his own two hands, including a dream home in the country for himself and Brenda, where they made lifelong neighborhood friends when they moved to Guthrie in 2005.

In addition to his wife Brenda and siblings Rodney, Melinda, and David, he is survived by his two children, Amanda Dawn Albee and William Brandon Albee. They knew him as the parent to ask for spending money, gas station treats, and car trouble advice. He always showed up, and he answered every call, in part due to a startling loud “Bad to the Bone” ringtone. He was also a supportive uncle to his many nieces and nephews. Many in the family knew him as a peacemaker who would talk to anyone, regardless of what they did in the past.

Bill knew how to take it easy and enjoy life’s simple things: watching the sky during thunderstorms, going fishing, and taking long drives. He was enamored by anything on wheels, and at times, the garage held more motorcycles, bikes, and go-carts than cars. He also took great pleasure in sweets and desserts, particularly donuts, apple fritters, rocky road ice cream, chocolate pies—basically, anything chocolate. T-bones and chicken fried steaks were also sure to put a smile on his face. Aside from spending time with family, he most enjoyed open roads, always adhering to the speed limit as he took in new horizons.

The crowning joy of the latter part of Bill’s life was being “Pa Pa” to Alma Devi Chandrasekhar, daughter to Amanda and her husband, Sharat Chandrasekhar; along with Brandon and his wife Staschia Albee’s children, Gabriella Horn, Isabella Ramirez, and the cherry on top, William Braylon Albee, who was born on his and Brenda’s forty-fourth wedding anniversary.

He is preceded in death by his father, Robert “Bob” Albee, Sr., his brother, Robert “Bobby” Albee, Jr., and his mother, Mary Jo Albee.

Bill will be remembered as a man of faith, a Ramblin’ Man turned family man. There was nothing he could not fix, and he will be sorely missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks those who knew him to consider donations to the ALS Association, 1950 Craig Rd Ste 200 St. Louis, MO 63146 Attn: Oklahoma ALS Association-Christy Galyean

A visitation for Bill will be held Tuesday, February 4, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Baggerley Funeral Home, 930 South Broadway, Edmond, OK.

A celebration of life will occur Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Victory.Church - Edmond, 1515 N Kelly Ave, Edmond, OK 73003.