William "Bill" Owen Williams

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of William (Bill) Williams, our beloved husband and father, who lost his battle with Alzheimer’s on Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Norman, Oklahoma, at the age of 86.

Bill was born on September 19, 1938, in Fairland, Oklahoma, to Owen (“Mutt”) and Delce Williams. He graduated from the University of Tulsa with a degree in art and advertising. He eventually became the Art Director of the Publications Department at the University of Oklahoma, a position he held for over 25 years.

Bill had many accomplishments. He was a true adventurer and artist, traveling the world, taking photographs, making memories, and creating countless paintings. Bill often said, “Color is my life,” and over his lifetime he painted more than 300 works and took hundreds of photographs.

One of his photographs hung in the Louvre for a year in Paris, France. He also won an international Best of Show award for a coffee table book about the state and people of Chihuahua, Mexico.

Bill is survived by his wife of 68 years, Juanita Stratton Williams. He is also survived by his daughters Tamey Fernandez and husband Paul, and their sons Erik Tanner Fernandez and Evan Tyler Fernandez; Tracy Williams Parks and husband Jeff, and their children Madison Parks Ingendorf and husband JD, Joe Parks, and Anna Parks with her boyfriend Ryan Stone.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Owen and Delce Williams; his daughter, Tonya Jane Williams; and his sisters, Tullulah Marshall and husband Gene of Fairland, Oklahoma, and Reena Rowley Cox of Chelsea, Oklahoma.

A service will be held at Primrose Funeral Services, 1109 N. Porter Ave., Norman, OK 73071,

on July 11, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.