Melvin "Bill" Oakes Jr.

Melvin William Oakes, Jr. (Bill) was born on February 25, 1927 in Hearne, Texas to Melvin and Vivian Oakes. Bill went to his heavenly home on June 20, and is preceded in death by his parents and his sister Doris Marie Dixon. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Emily, his daughter Nancy McPhaul and son Bill Allan Oakes, as well as his grandchildren, Will McPhaul and Kelly Winfield and her husband Chase, along with his sister Marjorie Jones and brother Maurice Oakes and numerous other nieces and nephews.

Bill worked for 40 years at the Shell Oil Refinery. He worked in the tank farm, blended gasoline, and was also a maintenance supervisor. He loved his job at Shell. He was a jack of all trades, who enjoyed fixing everything from cars to washing machines to clocks to furniture to air conditioners. He could figure out just about anything.

From 1958 on, Bill was an active member of the Thomas Avenue Baptist Church, which later became the Monument Baptist Church, where he consistently maintained church equipment and facilities for much of that time. Bill was a loving husband to his wife, Emily, and a faithful father to his children and beloved “Pappy” to Will and Kelly.

He was an avid shell collector and travelled the world from Mexico to the Bahamas, Australia to Madagascar, Thailand, Argentina and Brazil collecting with his wife, Emily. They had many wonderful experiences during their travels.

Bill will be sorely missed by family and friends.