Published on November 11, 2025 2:25 pm
Last Updated on November 13, 2025 10:25 am
William Warren “Bill” Oakley, age 91
December 12, 1933 – November 11, 2025
Bill was born on December 12, 1933, near Mattoon, Illinois, the son of Luther R. and Cora Jennie (Myers) Oakley. He grew up in Grove Township of Jasper County, Illinois.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Central Christian Church in Newton, Illinois, with Mike Knepper officiating. Burial will be in Island Creek Cemetery southeast of Montrose, Illinois. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 9:00 to10:45 AM, before the service. Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois.
Bill graduated from Newton Community High School in 1952. Soon after graduation, he joined the US Air Force and served a four-year enlistment, working as a radar technician. He married Betty Harris on February 8, 1956, at West Village Christian Church, north of Albion, Illinois. They began their married life in Tampa, Florida, where Bill was serving in the Air Force. Then they lived briefly in Albion, Illinois, before moving to Bill’s home county – Jasper County, Illinois, where they raised their four sons. On his return to Jasper County, he worked at the box factory for a few years before being hired by Robards Brothers Plastering and Drywall, from which he retired. In retirement he worked at the Newton city water plant. Bill was a faithful member of Central Christian Church in Newton, Illinois, where for many years he served as a deacon and an elder, as well as the organizer of the church’s support for international and domestic Christian missions. He sang duets at church with Betty and sang while driving with his family – sometimes spirituals, sometimes popular songs from the 1940s, sometimes southern gospel and old-style hymns. He had a modest LP record collection of big band, gospel, and classical music and enjoyed listening to classical music on Public Radio.
Bill is survived by his sons David (Jonathan Wimer) of Mayetta KS, Paul of Waynesboro VA, Dan (Beth Oakley) of Lakewood CO, Tom (Valerie Hockgraver) of Drayden MD, and his great-niece Dee Goodwin, who lovingly watched over him, safeguarding his dignity. He was also survived by six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, five nieces and nephews, his aunt Joyce (Ted) Rinkel, and extended family.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Betty, his sisters Louise Nichols, Reba Griffith, and Shirley Jean Oakley, his niece Betty Gish, his nephew Steve Griffith, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.