William Lee “Bill” LaRue Jr., 96, of Kingston, Okla. passed away on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at the Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City, Okla.
He was born on July 27, 1926, in Bixby, Okla. to the late William Lee LaRue Sr. and Velora Whitehorn LaRue. He was the middle child out of three. His father worked for Phillips Petroleum, so they moved frequently throughout his childhood.
Bill graduated from Crooked Oak High School in Oklahoma City and was elected President of his Senior Class. After graduation, he met his future wife of 71 years, Edwina Robbins. They married on October 20, 1944, in Norman, Okla. and she preceded him in death on October 24, 2015.
He was drafted into the Army in 1944 and did basic training at Ft. Sill, Okla. After basic training, he was sent to California for more training, than to Oahu, Hawaii. From there, his tour took him to the Philippines where he served as supply sergeant for 18 months. After the war, he returned to stateside and was honorably discharged on December 26, 1945.
Bill worked and retired at the age of 59 from Phillips Petroleum. In 1985, he moved to Kingston where he lived for the rest of his life. Bill was a member and also served as a deacon for the New Hope Baptist Church in Kingston, and he enjoyed fishing, golfing and was very involved in the Baptist Children Home.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents; wife and one sister, Coleen Godsy.
He is survived by his children, Forrest LaRue and wife Carole of Choctaw, Okla., Phil LaRue and wife Luelsa of Edmond, Okla.; grandchildren, Laura, Lance, Shawn and Danika; six great grandchildren and brother, Howard LaRue of Searsport, Maine Visitation was held Monday, June 6, 2023 at the Watts Funeral Home in Madill, Okla. from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Funeral service was Tuesday, June 7, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at Watts Memorial Chapel in Madill, Okla. John King officiated the service. Interment was at 3:30 p.m. at Oaklawn Cemetery in Wynnewood, Okla. Services were under the direction of Watts Funeral Home in Madill, Okla. Condolences may be sent to wattsfuneralhome.com.
Casket Bearers were Shawn LaRue, Hayden Harris, Lance LaRue, Jacob LaRue, Ken Morris, and Marcus Godsy.