On the morning of January 26, 2016, William ''Bill'' Carlton Hulsey, Sr. passed away at Claremore Veteran's Center in Claremore, Oklahoma as a result of a heart attack. Bill was 92 years old.

Bill was born near the town of Mounds, Oklahoma on May 17, 1923. He was the son of Harold William Mitchell and Bernice Giessmann. His stepdad was W. C. Hulsey. Bill's only sibling was a sister, Nellie Jane Mitchell. While the family lived in Tulsa, Bill attended Longfellow Elementary, Grover Cleveland Junior High and Will Rogers High School. He attended the University of Tulsa. He was honored by Tulsa Public Schools and received his high school diploma at a special ceremony recognizing veterans.

Bill married Nellie Ethel Whipple from Claremore, Oklahoma on July 28, 1941 at First Baptist Church in Tulsa. They had seven children, fourteen grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren (and more on the way), and two great-great-grandchildren. The Hulsey family purchased land and Bill built a longtime family home at Seventy First and Oak Grove Road in Broken Arrow.

Bill served as a private in the 766th Military Police Battalion during World War II and received an Honorable discharge in April of 1946. For many years he worked as an electrician at Atlas Electric and Mason Electric Co. He also worked at Acme Fence Company and for a few years ran a store near his home. He ran for Wagoner County Commissioner in 1956. After losing that race he worked at remodeling and building houses. Then he went to work for Mill Creek Lumber Company and Square Deal Lumber Company. In 1968, Bill purchased Wade Lumber Company with Nell and his oldest son JR. This company was renamed Pioneer Lumber and Supply Company and was located on Eleven Street in Tulsa. He continued to run the company until 1985 when he sold his share to his youngest son, Steve.

Bill accepted Christ as his Savior when he was twelve years old at Liberty Baptist Church and was baptized as an adult at Sunnyside Baptist Church. Bill was licensed as a Baptist minister in December of 1985 and ordained to ministry in May of 1988. He served as associate pastor of Riverside Baptist Church beginning in 1987. Bill loved Jesus and always found a way to serve God. He was currently a member of First Baptist Church in Broken Arrow. He served by teaching adults or children. He was often active in choir or outreach programs.

Bill did a lot of volunteer work in his life including 4H, Boy Scouts, and other programs his children were involved in. In retirement Bill was a long-time volunteer at the Tulsa Baptist Ministry Center where he spoke to people about their relationship with God and did counseling. He also served in the Grandfriends program at the Tulsa Public Schools where he worked with the Pre-K Class.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years Nell, his sister Nellie Jane and a grandson Matthew Hulsey. He is survived by his children Bill Hulsey Jr., Natalie Russell, Steve Hulsey, Sherri Dotson, and Holli Santucci, all of Broken Arrow; Pat Barrington of Lawrenceville, GA and Teressa Legako of Josephine TX as well as grandchildren Bill Hulsey III, Scott Hulsey, Chris Capehart, Robyn Ingersoll, Shannon McFarlane, Todd Russell, Michelle Leggett, Jason Legako, Aaron Legako, Stephanie Harris, Monica Seaton, Christopher Brandt, and Drew Brandt and thirteen great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

Viewing will be 10:00 A.M. til 8:00 P.M., Friday, January 29, 2016 at Moore's Southlawn, 9350 E. 51st, Tulsa, OK. Services will be held at First Baptist Church of Broken Arrow, 100 W. Albany St., Broken Arrow, OK at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, January 30, 2016. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233 share memories at www.moorefuneral.com