Bill E. Ihrig of Blackwell, Oklahoma, died on December 1, 2012, after a short illness. He was 92 years old.

Billie Ernest Ihrig was born on June 18, 1920, on the Willoughby Ranch outside of Mannford, Oklahoma, to Ernest and Ivy Deatherage Ihrig. Billie was the eldest of four children and was protector, role model, and source of wisdom and orneriness for his younger siblings. He graduated from Mannford High School in 1939 and joined the United States Air Force in October 1940, serving his country in England, North Africa, Sicily, Italy, and Sardinia during World War II until being honorably discharged in May 1945. He wrote many letters home during that time and always ended them by saying, "Don't worry about me Mom, I'm having a great time".

He married Jean Ann Atterberry on July 28, 1946, in Weleetka, Oklahoma and they shared their lives together for 66 years. Bill and Jean Ann moved to Sand Springs in 1950 where he worked as an ambulance driver for Mobley-Dobson Funeral Home until starting a career at Sheffield Steel, later Armco Steel, as the supervisor of employee benefits and payroll until his retirement in 1980. He was active in the Sand Springs First Christian Church where he served as an elder and chairman of the board, and, after moving to Blackwell in 1981, served as an elder in the First Christian Church there. He was on the board at Kitty Huston for several years until health issues caused him to retire from community activities.

Bill is survived by his wife, Jean Ann; two sons, Jon Ihrig and wife Barbara, and Mark Ihrig and wife Debby; daughter, Sally Ihrig O'Mealey; one brother, Tommy Ihrig and wife Peggy; two sisters, Neta Horton and Marcella Haskins; brother-in-law David Atterberry and wife Ruth, and brother-in-law Bruce Blackman; eleven grandchildren – Jared Ihrig and wife Courtney, Chad Ihrig and wife Laura, Drew Ihrig and wife Jordan, Juliann Ihrig, Sarah Koepp and husband Billy, Chris Ihrig and wife Shasta, Brian Ihrig and wife Lindsey, Ryan O'Mealey, Shane O'Mealey, Erin DuRoy and husband Michael, and Caitlin Barnes and husband Craig; fourteen great-grandchildren – Megan, Alex, Haleigh, Christian, Ainsley, Paige, Silas, Mabel, Abram, Tyler, Phaelon, Jack, Lyla, and Sam, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Ivy; father and mother-in-law Jack and Johnnie Atterberry; brothers-in-law Rayburn Horton, Edward Atterberry, and Gene Haskins, and sisters-in-law Dorothy Blackman and Louise Atterberry.

Bill gave all those who knew him steadfast loyalty. He showed his family solid devotion, a very dry wit, and an unshakable integrity. We mourn our loss but are forever grateful that this incredible man was in our lives. We are better for having known him.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 5, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at the First Christian Church, Blackwell, Oklahoma, with the Rev. Jeff Koch officiating. Internment will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery in Mannford, Oklahoma. Military rites will be performed by the United States Air Force.

Casketbearers will be grandsons, Jared Ihrig, Chad Ihrig, Drew Ihrig, Chris Ihrig, Brian Ihrig, Ryan O'Mealey and Shane O'Mealey. Honorary casketbearers will be granddaughters, Erin DuRoy, Sarah Koepp, Caitlin Barnes and Juliann Ihrig.

A memorial has been established in his honor with the First Christian Church or the Blackwell Public Library in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.