Billy Dean McConkey

Funeral Service for Billy Dean McConkey, 75, Fairview, were held Nov. 29, at the Fairview Mennonite Brethren Church followed by burial in the Fairview Cemetery.  Arrangements were by Fairview Funeral Home, Inc.

Billy Dean McConkey was born June 8, 1946, in Alva, to Thomas Edison and Vulah Verl (Smith) McConkey and passed away Nov. 23, 2021 in his home north of Fairview. 

Billy grew up in Alva, attending school there. At a young age, his father died and his mother married Carl Paxton, who became his dad and finished raising him. 

April 5, 1966 he joined the United States Army and served a tour of duty in Vietnam.  He returned home, Jan. 10, 1968, and was honorably discharged. 

After returning home, he married the love of his life, Sharon Ryel, March 23, 1968 at the Christian Church in Aline.   

In 1979 Billy was involved in a major car accident which caused him to reevaluate his life. He started working with leather making belts and wallets. 

In 1988 he graduated from OSU Okmulgee with an Associate’s Degree, Boots and Saddle manufacturing. He opened his own shop making saddles and repairing boots and shoes. 

In 1996 Billy was diagnosed with complications caused by Agent Orange and became 100 percent disabled.  He would continue working at his shop until he recently retired due to failing health. 

Billy loved his wife, his children and grandchildren, but one for his greatest loves was for old cars.  One of his first cars was a 1963 split window Corvette. 

He had many over the years.  He would buy one, restore it and sell it. At one point, when he was younger, he even had a stock car that he raced. 

However, Billy was a very loving husband, father and grandfather as well as a good friend who will be greatly missed by those that knew him. 

Billy is survived by his wife, Sharon, Fairview; one son, Ricky and Chandra McConkey, also of Fairview; one daughter, DeAnna and Greg Murray of Aline; six grandchildren, and six great grandchildren as well and many nieces and nephews. 

Billy was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Daisy McConkey Wallace; one brother , Larry McConkey; and one grandson, Cody Bykerk. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the DAV in Enid with Fairview Funeral Home, Inc. acting as custodian.

Condolences may be made on line at www.fairviewfuneralhomeinc.com.