Bill McBee

Bill McBee, 80, of Hartshorne, died Friday, Jan. 29, 2010, at his home near Hartshorne.

Funeral services will be Monday at 1 p.m. at Brumley-Mills Funeral Home Chapel in Hartshorne with Troy Glenn officiating. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery, McAlester, under the direction of Brumley-Mills Funeral Home of Hartshorne.

Pallbearers include Smokey Smith, Bob Anderson, Joe Wilkins and Ron McRee.

Born Sept. 26, 1929, in Alderson, to Lige and Myrtle Irene (Tate) McBee, he grew up in Bugtussle and after graduating from high school there he continued his education, earning a masters degree in behavioral science. In 1946, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and received his honorable discharge in 1947. He then began his teaching career which took him to Bugtussle, Blocker and Bowlegs before going to work for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, teaching on a reservation in New Mexico and working as a counselor at Jones Academy.

He was also a rancher, working with cattle for most of his life. He married Shirley Glenn on March 14, 1969, in New Boston, Texas and they have lived in Hartshorne since 1970. He was a member of the American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans and was a strong supporter of the Hartshorne Library and local youth services.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley McBee, of the home; one son and daughter-in-law, Marty and Sherry McBee, of Oklahoma City; one daughter and son-in-law, Valerie (McBee) Stark and Allen Stark, of Lake Wister; four grandchildren, Tristan McBee, Grayson McBee and Shelby McBee, of Oklahoma City, Nicholas Stark, of Lake Wister; his mother, Irene Green, of Owasso, and one brother and sister-in-law, Jay and Lee McBee, of Owasso.

He was preceded in death by his father.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Friends of Hartshorne Library, 720 Penn, Hartshorne, OK, 74547.

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