Billy Jerman was born in El Reno, OK, to Rei Gale and Hazel Jerman. He grew up and graduated from high school in El Reno. Following graduation, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and proudly served during World War II, achieving the rank of corporal and receiving an honorable discharge in 1946. In 1946, Billy married Carlene Marie Whitlock, also of El Reno. His postwar employment included working on a seismograph crew that traveled throughout the state. In 1948, he went to work for Tinker AFB as a civilian employee. He retired from Tinker after 32 years. During those years, he and his wife raised two children, a son, Jerry, and daughter, Peggy. He and Carlene moved to Bella Vista, AR, in 1985 because they found it a beautiful place to live and he could indulge his passion for golf. For 33 years, they enjoyed their time in the Natural State. In 2018, at the urging of their grown children, they returned to Oklahoma to be closer to family. Billy was a quiet but witty man who fervently loved his family and was devoted to faith and friendship. He loved to make his grandchildren laugh and always enjoyed their visits to Arkansas. He and Carlene were active members of First United Methodist Church of Bella Vista. Billy was preceded in death by his twin sister, Betty Faye, his parents, and his brothers Richard and Philip. He is survived by his wife Carlene of Norman; his son Jerry and his wife Charlene, also of Norman; his daughter Peggy Carty and her husband David, of Oklahoma City; his grandchildren, Emily Schuster and husband, Neal, Hadley Jerman, and Andrew Jerman, all of Norman; his great grandchild, Anne Schuster; and many nieces and nephews. Services for Billy will be held at the Resurrection Cemetery Chapel, 7801 Northwest Expressway, on Saturday, January 26, at 10 a.m.
