August 2, 1943 - November 14, 2022
Billy Ray Kidd was born in Bristow, on Aug. 2, 1943, to Merv and Ruth Kidd. As soon as he could talk, he started bossing his mother around and calling her Old Woman. His antics continued through his school career of arguing with teachers, ornery gestures to his friends in the hall and pranks galore, including a cherry bomb incident in the local police station. He graduated high school in 1961 and went to work in the oil fields in the Texas Panhandle and on the border at Eagle Pass. He met and married Charlotte Darnell after three short months on Dec. 11, 1964. Soon after, he was drafted into the United States Air Force where he was stationed in Colorado, Texas, Michigan, and North Carolina. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War, with one tour of duty ending in 1968. His daughter Kris was born in 1969 and Kara in 1973. Following his Air Force service, he began his career with the US Postal Service made many co-workers into lifelong friends. He retired in 1994. He loved spending time with family and friends, tinkering on cars, traveling, fishing and weekends at the lake. Watching Fox News Channel was a favorite pastime along with arguing about politics and general lack of common sense.
He was always ready with a good joke and a big, loud laugh. He had three grandchildren, Abby, Joleigh and Kellar and one great granddaughter, Lakyn. He had a wonderful, close relationship with his brother Don and sister Norma. Following the loss of his wife Charlotte, he met his companion, Sherri Abraham and they lived on Okmulgee Lake and finally in Tulsa. He passed away on Nov. 14, 2022, in Tulsa, at 79 years old.
He is survived by his daughter Kris and Rory Vanatta of Ivanhoe, Texas; daughter Kara and Sean Gaskins, of Bristow; granddaughter Abby Vanatta of Ivanhoe, Texas; granddaughter Joleigh Gaskins, of Bristow, and grandson Kellar and Kaylie Gaskins and their daughter Lakyn of Chandler; companion, Sherri Abraham, of Tulsa; his sister Norma Howell, of Tulsa, and many special nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Merv and Ruth, brotherDon, infant son Billy and his wife Charlotte. We will miss him forever and hear his amazing laugh ringing in our ears for always.
Graveside services were held at 2 p.m., Monday, Nov.21, 2022, at the Bristow City Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Hutchins Maples Matherly Funeral Home.