Billy Arthur Mickle ended this life’s journey to begin a better one on May 6, 2019. Billy was born July 7, 1945 in Wood Bridge, England to Billy L. and Gwen Basson Mickle while his father was stationed there during WWII. He would have been 74 this July.
Raised by his grandparents, Bill and Laura Mickle and a loving uncle, James Mickle, Billy spent his childhood in Wilburton, Okla. and graduated from Wilburton High School, Eastern State College and Northeastern Oklahoma State University.
Sergeant Mickle was very proud of his service as a U.S. Marine and Viet Nam veteran. He would often request the playing of the Marine Corps Hymn. During future years of civil service his heart was always open to fellow veterans.
Upon honorable completion of his military duty, Billy was accepted into the 26th Oklahoma Highway Patrol Academy where he graduated first in his class. Years later, he was proud to say being a trooper was probably his second best job – just behind that of being a husband and father. Billy and Frances Bailey were married on Aug. 6, 1971. They were blessed to have enjoyed 47 years of wonderful adventures. In 1980, the rest of Billy’s best job came with the birth of their son Matt Bailey Mickle.
Billy entered Oklahoma City University School of Law in 1972, received his J.D. and passed the bar two years later. Upon obtaining his license to practice law, he and Fran moved to Durant and with help from many new friends, he began a law practice.
Billy served as Durant City Judge and was elected to the Durant City Council where he served as Mayor for two years. He was proud of that council’s work in the building of Lake Durant as a water reservoir for the growing city.
Billy had always harbored a desire for further public service. He was elected to the position of Associate District Judge and served for 3 years from 1983-86. He was elected to the Oklahoma State Senate in l987 to fill an unexpired term and served for 15 years until 2002 when he chose not to seek re-election. During his Senate terms, he served as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee and as Majority Leader of the senate for eight years.
Just a few of his affiliations include: Oklahoma State Bar Association, Benefactor Fellow of the Oklahoma Bar Foundation, Member Southwest Energy Council, President of the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce, Board Member of the Oklahoma Affiliate of the American Diabetes Association, Adult Leader Boy Scouts of America Troop 618, Member of First Baptist Church Durant and life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars.
After retirement from the senate, Billy begin to pursue his passion for remodeling and designing. He and a partner bought several old buildings, remodeled or began remodeling so others could see a use for them. One of the most notable is the office on Fourth and Main.
Everything Billy did was with passion and a vision. His love for family and country where his reason for life. He was happiest when he could give counsel and help solve problems.
He is survived by wife Fran Mickle, son and family, Matt, Raye and Wade Mickle, all of Durant; sister, Elizabeth Price and husband Kim of Enid, Okla.; brother, Mike Mickle and wife Karen of Bettendorf, Iowa; uncle, Terry Basson of Bath England; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dr. Jesse and Karen Bailey of Lawton, Okla. He was proud of his nieces and nephews: Wendi Price, Washington, D.C., Brett Price and wife Laura of Stillwater; Kyle, Katelynn, and Matt Mickle, Bettendorf, Iowa; Jakob Bailey, Lawton, Okla.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents; uncle, James Mickle; father and mother; brother, Terry Mickle; sister, Frances Mickle Dailey and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jess and June Bailey
Honorary pall bears include members of the Bryan County Bar Association, members of the Oklahoma Legislature, and troopers of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. The family wishes to express special thanks to the compassionate caregivers at Legacy Assisted Living Center in Denison, Texas.
Memorial service is at First Baptist Church in Durant, Okla. on Friday May 10, 2019 at 2 p.m. Funeral arrangements will be provided by Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home in Durant. In lieu of flowers donations, can be made to the Durant High School scholarship fund at Durant High School, 1323 Waco Street, Durant, OK 74701.
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