Billy Joe Oard of Blackwell, Oklahoma, died early Thursday morning, May 1, 2008, in the Blackwell Regional Hospital at the age of 76 years.

Billy Joe Oard was born on December 7, 1931, in Braman, Oklahoma, to Clarence and Gertie (Silver) Oard. He graduated from Braman High School in 1950. He then furthered his education by attending Oklahoma A. & M. in Stillwater, Oklahoma. He married Marilyn McCulley on May 27, 1955, and to this union were born two sons, Jerry Wayne Oard and Dale Alan Oard, and a grandson, Dewey Alan Oard. His wife preceded him in death in 2004.

Bill loved farming and throughout his life engaged in helping with the family farm south of Braman. After his education, he was employed by the Blackwell Public Schools and Arkla Gas Company. He then began working at the Blackwell Post Office and worked there until his retirement in the early 1990's. He was owner of Oard Lawn Service and could be seen mowing the fields for the Little League games in addition to caring for his many customers in the community. One of his favorite pastimes was when he and Marilyn became Santa's helper and Mrs. Santa and visited many of the children in the community during the Christmas season. He was a member of the First Christian Church in Blackwell and often expressed his appreciation of the faithful elders who served him communion in his home during his illness.

He is survived by two son, Jerry Oard of Blackwell and Dale Oard of Blackwell; a grandson, Dewey Oard of Blackwell; a sister, Garnet Barton of Eugene, Oregon; two brothers, Clarence "Junior" Oard of Waco, Texas, and Gerald Oard and wife Margie of Braman, Oklahoma; and sisters-in-law, Dorothy Oard of Wichita, Kansas, Evelyn Smith and husband Gene of Mesa, Arizona, Gwendolyn Schellstede and husband Otis of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and Rosemary Pierce and husband Jack of Phoenix, Arizona; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was also preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Warren Oard; and two sisters, Irene Bridwell and an infant sister.

Services will be held in the First Christian Church in Blackwell at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 6th with the Rev. Jeff Koch of the First Christian Church and Rev. Hardie Higgins officiating. Burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery under the direction of Roberts and Son Funeral Home.

Casketbearers will be Brad Simpson, Bob Cronin, Bill Shoffner, Wayne Shoffner, Larry Cannon, Frank Dyer and Jerry Magers.

Memorial contributions can be made to the First Christian Church or American Cancer Society in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home.