William Stephen Rathbun

William Stephen “Steve” Rathbun 1944-2014 On Saturday, March 8, 2014, Steven went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. March 8 was also the birthday of his dad, Bill. Steve was born in Chicago, IL on August 17, 1944. He began his life journey with parents, William Ade and Dorothy Hampton Rathbun, on a farm in Indiana. He graduated from Brook High School. Steve’s childhood was filled with dreams of joining the United States Army as an adult. His birthday and Christmas lists were always for military toys, military books or guns. Steve served his country but was given an honorary medical discharge due to an eye disorder. His parents knew Steve was to be an avid reader after purchasing encyclopedias for the family. Two of his friends were building forts with the books while Steve was in the corner reading them. He loved being in his bedroom playing the trumpet (usually the “Taps”) or reading. Steve worked as a Volkswagen mechanic while attending Northeastern State University. His degree was in psychology. He moved to Bakersfield, California in 1980 and returned to Oklahoma in 1997 to help on the family ranch. Steve loved God, family, church family, and friends. His heart was big as were his bear hugs for everyone he greeted. Steve was preceded in death by his grandparents, Grant and Flossie Williams Hampton, and James and Nell Rathbun; his parents, Bill and Dorothy Rathbun; and his sister, Linda Jean Rathbun. He is survived by his sister, Caren Patterson (Jerry); nieces, Amy Buchert (Darrin), Heather Talley (Jeff); great nephews, Rylee Buchert and Tatum Talley; great nieces, Reese Buchert and Madden Talley; his aunt, Lucille Smith; cousins, other family members, and friends. A memorial service celebrating Steve’s life will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 15, 2014 at Eastside Community Church, 500 E Peak Blvd, Muskogee with Rev. Gary Underwood officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be Thomas Faulk, Darrin Buchert, Jeff Talley, Floyd Stovall, Jim McClendon, Ken Herringshaw, and Steve Whittinghill. At a later date, a graveside service will be held at Fairlawn Cemetery in Kentland, Indiana.

William Stephen Rathbun

August 17, 1944 - March 8, 2014