Willie Austin Carlisle

Healdton – A service remembering the life of Mr. Willie “Bill” Austin Carlisle, 96, of Healdton is scheduled for 10:00 AM Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022 at the First Christian Church of Healdton with Les Hastings officiating. Interment will follow at Mount Olive Cemetery with Military honors and Masonic rites . Services are under the care and direction of Alexander Gray Funeral Home of Healdton.

Bill was born on March 30, 1926 in Ravanna, AR to the late Mr. Willie Willis Carlisle and Mrs. Lottie May (Moulder) Carlisle. He departed this life on Friday, Dec. 16, 2022 at his home in Healdton.

Bill moved from Arkansas to Cass Count, Texas, when he was 3 years old. He graduated from High School in 1943. On October 14, 1944, Bill was inducted into the Navy in San Diego, CA and started boot camp. He was assigned to LSM 228. His group was the first invasion on Okinawa and Bill’s rating was Motor Machinist Mate 3rd Class. While on the ship, he worked in the engine room. The kitchen was in the engine room and Bill soon learned to bake from a professional baker. After the baker had to leave the ship, the captain asked Bill to do the baking for the crew. Soon after with the ship being decommissioned at Galveston, TX in July of 1946, Bill received his discharge in Norman, OK. While Bill was overseas, his father had passed away.

Bill spent some time attending Junior college after his discharge and soon began working in the oilfield as a roughneck and later became employed for an Oil Well Service Company. This moved him from to Montana, North Dakota, and in 1961 to Borger, TX. Years thereafter, he moved with his daughter Leisa to Perryton, TX opening a new station before being transferred to Seminole and then finally to Healdton in 1973. Bill took an early retirement in 1986 and in 1988 he and Gerald Prater went into construction business together for 17 years.

After Bill stepped down from the construction business, he was able to help his friends with some of their handy work. He served 3 years on the city council and was always very active with the First Christian Church. He had also volunteered as mayor and vice mayor for the city of Healdton and volunteered with the Senior Citizen Center and the trustee program leading several men to the Lord, by taking them to church and working with them. In 2018, Bill celebrated 60 years with the Masonic Lodge, he was also a member of the American Legion, helping put numerous flags out. Bill was the most loving and giving person who always enjoyed helping others and gave many 2nd and 3rd chances. He never spoke negative of anyone, always trying to find the good. Bill loved gardening, family time and volunteering.

Preceding him in death are his parents; sister, Oleta Carlisle Forbess and her husband Eldred; wife, Sue on Oct. 1, 2008; sons, William Duane and William Blane Carlisle and his wife Sue.

Bill is survived by his loving daughter Leisa A. Carlisle and husband Stephen P. Mahoney; nephew, EW Forbess and wife Margie; grandchildren, Amanda Torres, Dusty and husband Matthew Scroggins, and Hunter Carlisle; great grandchildren, Styles, Lila, Avery, Garrett and Grant Scroggins, Austin and Zannder Torres; great nephew, Robert Forbess; extended family, Jimmy and Kathy Davis, Dickie and Sheryl Childress, Ralph and Eolanda Brugger and his deceased wife’s son, Rodney Stringer and wife Gayle; numerous other family and friends.

Casket bearers will be Ralph Brugger, Mark Condit, Ray Marshall, Kenneth Crawford, Dickie Childress, and Gus Handke.

Family visitation will be held Monday evening from 6-8 P.M. at the Alexander Gray Funeral Home in Healdton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Masonic Lodge #23, 2232 Texas St, Healdton, OK 73438 or charity of your choice.

Memories may be shared online at www.alexandergrayfh.com.