Obituary for William Palmer

William P. “Red” Palmer, resident of Ponca City, Oklahoma, passed away January 6, 2015. He was 65.

A Memorial Service will be held 2:00 pm Friday, January 9, 2015, at Albright United Methodist Church, 128 South Palm, Pastor Scott Spencer officiating.

Bill was born on January 10, 1949 to Jack D. Palmer and Viola P. Stolhand Palmer in Ponca City, OK. He was raised on a farm and graduated high school in Pawnee, OK. He grew up working on the farm, driving tractors, and operating heavy machinery. He married Pamela Rhea on June 11, 1970. He worked for over 25 years as a Sheet Metal Forman for Stolhand Heat and Air. In recent years, he enjoyed working livestock and the many challenges associated with that endeavor. He always found peace and happiness in working the land and being outdoors.

Bill was active in his community, serving the Boy Scouts of America as cub master for many years. He taught countless people to cook in Dutch ovens by putting on cooking classes and compiling recipes in multiple cookbooks. He received the Silver Beaver Award, the highest honor given by the scouts to adult leaders.

Cooking for large groups was never a problem for Bill. He would often have meat in the smoker or chili in the roaster. He cooked for the Will Rogers Scout Reservation in Cleveland, OK, and the Ag Boosters for Frontier school.

In years past, Bill regularly attended Saint Luke’s Church of the Nazarene and served as Sunday school teacher. Many children would often pile in his old, brown Cadillac to head to church. It was amazing how many kids were brought to Christ because of Bill’s sharing his love for the Lord. Of late, Albright UMC has been his church home.

Bill was active with his family. He spent vacations with his children and grandchildren, traveling to Branson and even Wisconsin. Papa Bill always knew how to show his grandkids a good time, whether it was at a theme park or on Table Rock Lake. He traveled statewide to participate in most school activities of his grandchildren. He enjoyed going to Oklahoma State football games, regardless of the weather. Bill had a lifetime love of the outdoors – he fished regularly and was an avid hunter. Bill loved God, his family, and helping people and children.

He is survived by his wife, Pam Palmer, son Billy Jack Palmer and wife Sara, daughter Cindy Burgess and husband Tony all of Ponca City, brother Jim Ware and wife Virginia of Pawnee, and 4 grandchildren, Bryden, Jakob, Jason, and Allison, as well as countless nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by father Jack D. Palmer, mother Viola P. Palmer, nephew Larry Ware, and 2 brothers, Herman Ware and John Palmer.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Albright United Methodist Church.

Source: Trout Funeral Home