WILLIAM "BILL" A. WILBANKS, 78,of Independence Kansas formally of Tulsa, Oklahoma died Wednesday at the Mercy Hospital in Independence, Kansas.

A Celebration of Life Services will be held at 10:oo a. m., Monday, November 25, 2013 at the Moore's Memory Chapel, 1403 South Peoria Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma with Police Chaplain Danny Lynchard officiating. Burial will follow in the Ethel Reese Cemetery in Barnsdall, Oklahoma under the directions of Moore's Memory Chapel of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The family has suggested memorials to the FORPAZ (ZOO) of Independence, Kansas and contributions may be sent to the Potts Funeral Home Chapel, 122 South Pennsylvania, Independence, Kansas 67301 or the Moore's Memory Chapel, 1402 South Peoria Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74120.

Bill was born January 14, 1935 in Tulsa, Oklahoma the son of William Richard and Bernice Marie (Selby) Wilbanks.

He grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma and attended and graduated from the Tulsa School System. He ten attended Tulsa University where he received his Bachelor's and Law Degree. He also graduated from the FBI National Academy.

Bill was a Captain for the Tulsa Police department and became head of the Police academy upon retiring he taught Criminal Law at the Tulsa University and Tulsa Community College from which he also retired. He also served as a Judge in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police and the Oklahoma Bar Association.

Survivors include his step mother, Juanita V. Wilbanks of Neosho, Missouri; sister-in-law, Barbara Schmidt of Independence, Kansas; nephew, Derek Schmidt of Independence, Kansas and one aunt, Derline Hudson of California.

Bill was preceded by his parents and one brother, William "Bill" Schmidt.