Billy Wayne Shackleford

The Shackleford Family lost their favorite cowboy late Friday night, June 19, 2020 at the age of 83. Our beloved Billy took his last earthly breath at home surrounded by loved ones. He took his first Heavenly breath immediately in the arms of his Saviour, Jesus Christ. Billy was a firm believer in God, having been saved and baptized many years ago at the First Baptist Church in Calera.

Billy was born May 2, 1937 at home in Utica, Okla. to Troy Ed Shackleford and Norine (Heflin) Shackleford. His original birth certificate lists him as “Un-named Shackleford” as the attending doctor did not like the name “Billy Wayne” which his parents had chosen and refused to put it on the birth certificate. Needless to say the parents named him that anyway.

Billy was raised in the Bryan County rural area of Utica and Albany growing up with a farming background. He learned to ride horses and bulls at an early age with his brother and Heflin cousins. A rodeo just wasn’t a rodeo if the Shackleford boys weren’t there. They traveled many miles to many states leading the rodeo life, mostly with a group of Bryan County cowboys.

He quit rodeoing in 1965 to raise a family. He worked at many different occupations in construction and bricklaying. In his spare time, he became quite a flea market and yard sale trader, making friends everywhere he went. He took his granddaughters with him when he could, teaching them the fine art of “negotiation.” He pretty much claimed the vacant corner on S. Ninth and Arkansas for a trading spot for him and Scott. Billy was Scott’s best friend, taking him almost everywhere he went.

One of his most outstanding talents was telling stories of growing up. He kept us entertained for years with his experiences from country schools and rodeo life. He loved seeing the family together and seeing how much he could tease the little ones to act up and get in trouble. He was proud of his family and thought they could do no wrong, no matter what.

During the 1960 Durant Rodeo, he met Patty Green who was working at the Durant Drug Store. They married Feb. 17, 1961 at Fairview Baptist Church in Durant. She was no cowgirl but they managed to make a wonderful life together.

Billy is survived by his wife, Patty, of the home; daughters, Tammy Ezell (Richard), Shanie Shackleford, both of Durant, Donna McCormick of Austin, Texas; sons, Scott Wayne Shackleford and David Shackleford, both of Durant; granddaughters, Jenna Kay Arabaci (Mehmet) of Wylie, Texas, Regan Browne (Meredith) of Denton, Texas, Paxton Ezell, Miranda Alexander (Rodell) both of Durant; grandson, Jeremy McCormick of Austin, Texas; 10 great-grandchildren; sisters, Linda Wallace (Leonard) of Durant, Peggy Anderson, Shelia Brumley, Janet Mendinghall, all of Duncan, Okla. and Shelia Kirven (Steve), Durant and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents, Troy Shackleford and Norine Blakney; his brother, Donald Shackleford and grandparents, Ed and Hershel Shackleford and Leon and Jennie Heflin.

Family hour will be Monday, June 22 from 7-8 p.m. at the Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home. A celebration of Billy’s life will be held Tuesday, June 23, 2020 at 2 p.m. in the Holmes-Coffey-Murray Chapel with Pastor Jesse West officiating. His final resting place will be at Highland Cemetery in Durant.

Services are under the direction of Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home in Durant, Okla.