Obituary for Wilber “Bill” Moyer

Bill Moyer

(August 18, 1932 – April 5, 2016)

Wilber Ray “Bill” Moyer of Blackwell, Oklahoma, went to be with his Lord and Savior on April 5, 2016, in the Integris Hospice House in Oklahoma City at the age of 83 years.

Bill was born on August 18, 1932, in Blackwell to Wilber and Elsie (Shepherd) Moyer. He grew up in Blackwell and attended Chikaskia Valley Grade School, Blackwell Junior High and graduated with the class of 1950 from Blackwell High School. He went on to earn a degree in agricultural science from Oklahoma A. & M. in Stillwater in 1954. While at O.S.U. he was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity was actively involved in the R.O.T.C. and after graduation he became a Second Lieutenant at Ft. Benning, Georgia. In 1955 he married Mona Ray McKaig. Together, they moved to Ft. Carson, Colorado, and started their family with the birth of their first son, William Monte, before gyroscopting to Heilbronn, Germany, with the 28th Infantry in 1957. During their year abroad, they welcomed their second son, Mickey Doyle. After returning home to Blackwell and welcoming a daughter, Misti Lynn, he began his farming operation and working for Weaver Well Service. In 1960 he began his career with Conoco and in 1972 he and Mona welcomed their final surprise, Matthew Todd. While at Conoco he worked as a lab tech and drove the shuttle van for many years. After thirty-three years of service he retired in 1993 as a research technologist. During Desert Storm in Iraq, Bill’s reserve unit was re-activated and he served during this time at Ft. Hood, Texas, as a casualty assistance officer. Throughout his entire life he had a passion for sports. He coached, umpired, and refereed for many teams and will always be remembered on the sideline as the most enthusiastic, loudest supporter of the Blackwell Maroons and the Oklahoma State Cowboys. He also volunteered the Blackwell Regional Hospital and served as Exalted Ruler of the local Elk’s Club. He was driven by his faith and was deeply involved as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees with the First United Methodist Church in Blackwell. One of his most gratifying accomplishments was serving as a mentor to his family and to those for whom he coached.

He is survived by his wife, Mona Moyer of Blackwell; a daughter, Misti Leeper of Oklahoma City; three sons, Monte Moyer of Blackwell, Mick Moyer and wife Angel of Blackwell, and Matt Moyer and wife Amy of Woodward; a sister, Wilma Nell Clark of Blackwell; eleven grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Bob Moyer; and a nephew, Kirk Moyer.

Services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Friday, April 8th in the First United Methodist Church in Blackwell with Rev. Cap McIlnay officiating. Burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery with full military rites performed by the United States Army, Ft. Sill, Oklahoma.

Casketbearers will be Shawn Moyer, Kale Leeper, Kolby Leeper, Mickey Moyer, Mac Moyer and Trey Peetoom. Serving as honorary casketbearers will the his nephews.

A memorial in his honor has been established with the First United Methodist Church in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.

The family will host friends for visitation at the funeral home on Thursday evening from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel.