William Levi Sumpter, 92, died April 19, 2016 in Tulsa, OK. He was born in Sequoyah County, OK, to William R. and Susie (Morris) Sumpter.

William (Bill) graduated from Tulsa Central High School. During WWII he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force and was assigned to the 343rd Fighter Group in the 11th Air Force--Alaska. He was a fighter pilot flying the P-38 Lightning and the P -51 Mustang providing air defense for the Aleutian Islands. He also served in the Korean War piloting the F-84 Thunder Jet and received the Distinguished Flying Cross for directing a Naval search and rescue mission of a downed B-29 Bomber in the Yellow Sea. All crew were rescued while he remained in direct enemy danger providing coverage and direction. He remained active in the Air Force Reserves flying the C-119 Flying Boxcar. During his years of service to the Army Air Force and U.S. Air Force he attained the rank of Major and retired with 20 years of service.

Bill and his wife, Melvena and were married October 23, 1948 in Tulsa, OK and had 2 children, Bill and Dianne. They continued living in Tulsa where he became a successful sales representative of the Clow Corp., and Yeomans Bros., and were active members of Highland Park Christian Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Melvena, 2 brothers, Quannah and Gid Sumpter and 2 sisters Ruth (Dunn) and Maxine (Kennedy).

He is survived by a son, William W. Sumpter (Debra) and a daughter, Dianne Laub (Brian Cole), grandchildren, Mike (Kim) Laub, Karen and Erica Laub, Warren and Wes Sumpter and great -grandchildren, Brittany, Tatum and Hayden Laub, his sister, Jane Moore of Tulsa and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be 11:00 Sat., April 23, 2016, at Highland Park Christian Church, Tulsa, OK. Internment at Memorial Park Cemetery, Tulsa, OK. Visitation will be Friday 9 to 9 at Moore Southlawn Funeral Home. Family will be present 5 to 7 pm. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Meals on Wheels-Tulsa. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233 share memories at www.moorefuneral.com