Obituary for Billy Greenfield

Billy Greenfield

October 11, 1940 ~ October 22, 2021 (age 81)

Billy Joe Greenfield, 81, of Ponca City, OK passed away on October 22, 2021 after an extended battle with heart disease.

Bill was born October 11, 1940 to Bill and Lucille Greenfield in Hutchinson, KS. After graduation from Hutchinson High School in 1958, he married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Ruthann Dobson on July 30, 1958 in Newkirk, OK. Just a few years later, Bill enrolled in night classes at Wichita State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics in 1966. Bill moved his family to Ponca City in 1967 after he secured a job in exploration research for the Research and Development department of Continental Oil Company. He worked as a computer programmer and research scientist in Ponca City throughout his employment with Conoco until his retirement in 1994.

Bill and Ruthann shared 63 years of marriage and together raised five children, Kym, Kelly, Billy, Kerry, and Kacey. Bill was incredibly hard working, dedicated to his family, and determined to guide each of his children to become independent and hardworking members of society. He never hesitated to offer an opinion or advice to any of them or to his grandchildren. He had an incredible sense of humor, an extremely dry wit, and as ornery as they come. Bill was intensely proud of his family and always tried to support each in their endeavors. He was most proud that all five of his children earned college degrees. Bill was passionate about baseball and golf, sharing his love for these with several of his grandchildren. From Brooklyn to Los Angeles, he was forever a Dodgers fan.

For all that knew him, Bill was the most loving and devoted husband and father a family could ask for. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, many close aunts, and brother-in-law, Earl Polk. He is survived by his wife Ruthann; children Kym White (Mike), Kelly Epley, Bill Greenfield (Lori), Kerry Balanza (Chaly), and Kacey DePriest; his sister Pamela Polk and niece Sparkle Faidley (Lucas). Bill also leaves behind sixteen grandchildren and their families Laura Mays (Aaron), Leslie Morgan, Kris Upchurch (Jordon), Kyle Upchurch (Emily), Nick White (Erin), Bryan Epley (Marissa), Brad Epley (Cassie), Ashley Davis, Connor Davis, Cameron Greenfield, Rachel Greenfield, Olivia Greenfield, Kay Wiley (Douglas), Audrey McGuire, Haydn DePriest and Grace DePriest.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Ponca City School Foundation would honor his memory and his lifelong support for education.

Services will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, October 26, 2021 in the Grace Memorial Chapel, Interment will follow in Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday, October 25, 2021, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. with family in attendance from 5p.m. to 6 p.m. to receive friends and relatives.