G. W. "Bill" Raybourn

G.W. "Bill" Raybourn passed peacefully Friday, May 27th at Inverness Village in Tulsa, OK at the age of 97. He was born August 19, 1918 in Sedan, KS to John Marvin Raybourn and Ima Lucy Chambers. After attending Sedan High School, he attended Oklahoma City University. He began working for Skelly Oil in 1938 and in 1942 he joined the Navy and became a Naval Aviator. He rose to the rank of Lt. Commander in the Navy Transport Service and piloted several types of aircraft to South American and the Pacific Theater. He was most fond of flying a PB2Y-3 Sea Plane. During the war he met Nancy Jane Prather on a blind date arranged for two kids from Kansas, they were married for 55 years and had five boys Bill Jr., David, Tom, Steve, and Peter. The family moved to Tulsa in 1965 when Bill became the manager of the Natural Gas Liquids Department for Skelly Oil. He retired from Getty Oil Company in 1978. Preceding him in death were son Bill Jr., in 1963; wife Nancy Jane, in 1999; son Tom, in 2009; and Grandson Zack in 2015. In 2003 he married Nancy Lou Atkinson, whom he adored. They were able to travel and enjoy life together. In 2005 they moved to Inverness where they had many friends. He is survived by his wife Nancy Lou Raybourn of the home; sons David and his wife Teresa of Tulsa; Steve Raybourn and wife Susan of Oklahoma City; and Peter Raybourn and wife Sally of Missouri City, TX; Grandchildren Brad Raybourn of Ft Worth, TX; Kelly Hall of Tulsa; Travis Lamborn and wife Tammy of Tulsa; Grant Raybourn and wife Jenny of Austin, TX; Katy Raybourn of Oklahoma City; Sam Raybourn of Norman; Haydon Raybourn of Tulsa; and Anna Raybourn of Tulsa. He had many Great Grandchildren. He is also survived by Nancy's sons Mike Atkinson and wife Melissa of Tulsa and their children Travis Atkinson and wife Krystin of New York City, NY and Kellen Atkinson of New York City, NY; Tom Atkinson and wife Joanie of Tulsa, and their children Kate Jennemann and husband Seth of Tulsa; Annie Atkinson of New York City, NY. Viewing will be 12Noon-8PM, Tuesday, June 7, 2016 at Moore's Southlawn, 9350 E. 51st, Tulsa, OK. A Memorial Service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, June 8th at 2:00 p.m. with a reception following at the church in the Miller Library. The church address is 709 South Boston Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74119. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Helping Hands Ministry of First Presbyterian Church where Bill donated much of his time in retirement. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233 share memories at www.moorefuneral.com

G. W. "Bill" Raybourn

August 9, 1918 - May 27, 2016