William Carl Finke

Ringling - Funeral Services for Mr. William Carl "Bill" Finke, Jr., 84 of Ringling are scheduled for 2:00 P.M. Monday, June 19, 2017 at Alexander Funeral Home Chapel in Ringling with Jimmy Morris officiating. Interment will follow to Petersburg Cemetery.

Bill was born on June 30, 1932 in Pottsboro, TX to the late Mr. William "Willie" Carl Finke, Sr. and Mrs. Alvie Josephine (Miller) Finke. He departed from this life on Monday, June 12, 2017 at his home.

Bill was raised in Calera since 5 years of age on a dairy farm and attended college at Southeastern University receiving his Bachelors of Science Degree. He attended night classes at Southwestern University earning his Masters Degree and later received his PHD in Chemistry at the University of Oklahoma. He married the former Ms. Velda Provence on February 20, 1954 at Denison, TX. To this union, they were blessed with 3 children, Carla, Charles and Brian. Bill was also a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving as a pilot of Multi Engines serving mainly in the VQ 1 NAS Agana Guam. After his honorable discharge, he was reactivated to fly closure during the Cuban Crisis and also flew 8 nuclear test missions under John F. Kennedy 's presidency. Bill retired as tenured Chemistry Professor from Cameron University in 1986. He and his wife Velda built their home in Petersburg in 1992. Since then, he has enjoyed farming and ranching. Bill was also very active in helping with the Grady Community Center and playing the fiddle with a musical group for community functions.

Preceding him in death are his parents; wife Velda Finke on February 26, 2016.

Bill is survived by his daughter, Dr. Carla Michaels of Dallas, TX, Charles Finke and wife Sharon of Fink, TX and Brian Finke of Petersburg; grandchildren, April Curtis and husband Jeremy, Carlyn Finke, and Robert Finke and wife Lilly; step grandchildren, Justin, Matthew, Wess, and Christina; great grandchild, Claire Curtis; siblings, Katherine Westbrook of Denison and Billie Trott of Oxford, MS; nephew who was like a brother, Bobby Thompson and his wife Jane of Colbert;and numerous other family and friends.

Casket bearers will be Zack West, Cody Rose, Robert Finke and other members of the family.

Honorary bearers will be Johnny Hartman and Cindy Rose.

A family visitation is scheduled for 2-4 P.M. Sunday evening at Alexander Funeral Home in Ringling.

Online condolences may be made to www.alexanderfuneralhome.org.