Billy Paul Forester

Billy Paul Forester passed away on December 17, 2025 at the age of 99. Bill was born on May 18, 1926, to Russell and Dolly Forester in Three Sands, Oklahoma, an Oklahoma oil field boom town. Bill and his parents, along with his two brothers Burdette and Bob, eventually settled in Oklahoma City. He graduated from Capitol Hill High School and attended the National Youth Association school to learn machinist work.

Bill served in the Army during WWII from June 7, 1944, through June 30, 1946, in the 1st Cavalry Division as a Rifleman. He received a Purple Heart Medal for service during the RIBBOB Philippine Liberation as well as a 2 Sar Victory Ribbon in the Asiatic Pacific Theater.

Bill graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University with a Bachelor of Science and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity in May of 1956. He was licensed as a minister in 1950 and served in various churches throughout Oklahoma as well as a Chaplain for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services.

Bill met Virginia Lee Nickell in Oklahoma City, and they were united in marriage on June 1, 1947, and were married for 63 years. Born to them were three children, Ginger Ann (Forester) Pierce, Paul Roy Forester, and Terri Sue (Forester) Howerton.

Bill married Margie Johnson Hale on May 28, 2014. She enjoyed hearing the interesting stories of the happenings of his journey through life. Bill and Margie enjoyed the rich fellowship with members of the Fishermen-Of-Men and Good Samaritan Sunday School classes of Southern Hills Baptist Church.

Bill is preceded in death by wife, Virginia, son, Paul, and daughter, Terri Sue.

Bill is survived by wife Margie, daughter Ginger and husband Dan Pierce, daughter-in-law Leta Forester and grandchildren, Russell Pierce, Leslie Novotny and husband Mike, Mary Pierce, Holly Forester-McCuller and husband Troy, Matthew Forester and wife Shasha, Nicholle Forester Bazzani and husband Nick, Kerri McReynolds and husband Don, Jeff Comstock and wife Adrianne, and 17 great grandchildren.