Obituaries

Billy Jack “Opa” Keeling was born on June 14, 1927 in Long Beach, California to Joseph L. and Ella Mae (Couch) Keeling. He died on June 24, 2012 in Lawton, Oklahoma at the age of 85.
Billy moved from California to the Central High area of Oklahoma at a young age. He remained in the area attending school and working on the family farm until 1948 when he enlisted in the US Army. Billy was stationed in Germany as part of the occupation force and was honorably discharged in 1950. He was employed in the civil service at Ft Sill upon his return to the area, and married Irmgard Jones in 1970. They spent 1979-1986 and 1987-1991 in Stuttgart, Germany where Billy worked as a supply technician for Tank Automotive Command (TACOM). He retired in 1991 and returned to Lawton where Billy enjoyed boating and water sports, watching westerns and spending time in his shop working on just about anything his family needed fixed. Billy was a long time active member of Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF). He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his wife Irmgard of Lawton; 3 daughters, Marion Hendrick of Lawton, Monika Reed and husband Ronnie of Wichita Falls, and Nanette Jobe and husband Robert from east of Lawton; a son, Desmond Jones and wife Loisdawn (LD) of Duncan; 6 grandchildren, Adriane Hendrick, Jarod Hendrick, Kersten Reed, Dahlia Reed, Tara Ramirez and her daughter Cailin, and Caleb Jobe; cousins, Don Couch and wife Janette of Duncan and James Couch of Lawton, and many very special longtime friends. Please do not send flowers, make donations to the Lawton Humane Society in Billy’s name. Billy’s online guestbook may be signed and condolences sent by visiting: www.whineryhuddleston.com .
Thank you Billy (Opa) for letting us be a part of your life!