William Chapman Southerland
William Chapman Southerland was born in Rush Springs, OK on December 10, 1933 to Mellie Mae Ethel Chapman and William Henry Southerland. He passed from this life June 17, 2013.
He graduated from Chickasha High School in 1951 in Chickasha, OK. He served in the US Army from 1954 until 1956. He met the love of his life and wife of 54 years while on a church choir hayride in Chickasha in 1958. He and Patricia Ann Kennedy were married on January 24, 1959 in Waurika, OK at the First Baptist Church. William received his degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma in 1959 and then began working for Getty Oil in Venice, Louisiana that same year. He transferred to Hobbs, NM, Midland, TX, Pampa, TX and then back to Midland, TX where he retired from TEXACO (Getty). Throughout his lifetime he was always involved in church and he loved music, especially singing and playing the piano. He loved telling jokes, was an avid reader, enjoyed playing games and spending time with family. He was a lifelong active member of the Baptist Church where he served in many roles including singing in the worship choir and serving as a deacon. William was a loving and faithful husband, father, and grandfather. Everyone loved his stories and his jokes. In the 1970's, he joined a local chapter of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America (S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A.) and was active in his quartet, 'The Mayor's Forum' and 'The Sun Country Gentlemen Chorus'. He was a long time member and past director of the Midland Downtown Lions Club and looked forward to flipping pancakes at the Lions' Pancake Jamboree each year.
Left to cherish his memories are his wife Patricia 'Pat' Southerland; brother, Woodrow 'Woody' Southerland and wife Sandy of Irving, TX; son, Kennedy Southerland of Euless, TX; daughters, Marsha Coffee and husband Clyde of Pampa, TX, Nancy Houston and husband Brian of Levelland, TX; granddaughters, Tara Thornton and husband Luke of Amarillo, TX and Heather Coffee of Pampa, TX; grandsons, James Coffee and wife Nicole of Amarillo, TX, Heath Houston, Blake Houston and Brady Houston all of Levelland, TX.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:00 – 8:00 pm on Wednesday, June 19, 2013. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday, June 20, 2013 at First Baptist Church with George Koehl officiating and David Johnson assisting. The family will also receive friends at the Dudley Funeral Home in Waurika, OK on Saturday, June 22, 2013 from 10:00 -12:00 pm. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm at the Waurika Cemetery on Saturday, June 22, 2013. Memorials may be directed to the Harmony Foundation at www.barbershop.org or the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research at www.michaeljfox.org. Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com.
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