William Harrison Smallwood

On Friday, May 1, 2020, Bill, (William), our beloved husband, dad, pa, entered his heavenly home at the age of 77 years, 4 months. This is our tribute to the man, the myth, the legend: William Harrison Smallwood was born on Smallwood Hill in Webbers Falls, OK on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1942, to Richard and Iva Smallwood. William was the youngest brother to Edith, Richard Jr., Benny and Virginia. He roamed freely on the family property catching frogs and snakes, exploring every inch and gathering many treasures. The first years of school were spent in Webbers Falls School. Bill spent 2 years in first grade because the first year he rarely attended. He would wait with his older siblings for the bus every morning. When the bus arrived he insisted the others get on first then he would turn and run like the wind back up the hill to the house, thus failing 1st grade. After his father’s death, He and his mother moved to Braggs where he eventually graduated from high school. True to form, his last year of school was a carbon copy of his first year. He decided after 11th grade that he knew enough and really didn’t like school anyway, so he dropped out. But after being a real adult and having to work for a year, decided school wasn’t so bad after all, so he returned to finish his senior year. On June 12, 1964, Bill began a journey with his bride, Betty Lou Hutchens. A journey that spanned 56 years and resulted in the addition of two cherished daughters, Anita and Shannon, whom he affectionately called “Rerun” or just ”Run.” Although the real home was always Braggs, OK, they made temporary homes and formed lifelong friendships in many places, Oklahoma City, Harrah, Buffalo Valley and Boise City, OK, Fort Smith, AR, Lubbock, TX, Plainview, TX, and Naknek, AK, but always returned home to Braggs. Bill was very talented in so many areas. He was an accomplished mechanic, able to repair any motor vehicle, and most anything else, he was a highly sought after commercial painter for many years in Okla. City, he owned and operated paint, body, and auto repair shops in Choctaw and Muskogee, OK, he worked for several years constructing power plants and later, in power plant maintenance all across the United States. He spent six years serving his country in the U.S. Air Force Reserves. Despite his crusty exterior, gruffness and stubborn streaks, there is actual evidence that he was a loving and caring person. This is evidenced by the deep sorrow and pain in our hearts upon his passing. Bill was most definitely his own man, never one to blindly follow social trends, rather he set his own standard. He took his fashion cues from no one. His signature, everyday look was a worn, faded, and often grease or paint stained, t-shirt with his old overalls or better yet, cut-off overalls in the summer. One of his favorite pastimes was tinkering with an old car or it seems remodeling of his shop. This entailed moving the big double doors and windows to different walls, based on where the sunshine or the breeze was, (we assumed), sometimes (artistic?) painting of the exterior walls. He enjoyed booze, cars, candy, winning, George Jones, Hee Haw, The Price is Right, Gaither Family Music, Thunder basketball, and most of all, family and friends. Some of our treasured memories of Bill: Granddaughter Stephanie says she will remember one of his favorite sayings, “There’s nothing that baling wire and zip ties can’t fix.” His greeting to the great-grandsons, Baylon and Rylan every time they visited, “What are you doing here boy?” “We love Uncle Bill’s smile,” nieces, Debbie and Donna “Someone play the jukebox, George Jones, Aretha Franklin, Jerry Lee Lewis.” Grandson Dallas says he will miss Pa Bill asking every time he comes in from a job, “What goodies do you have for me this time. He always wanted the junk I was going to throw away and nobody else would want, because he had a plan for it.” And this jewel from grandson Blake sort of sums up Pa Bill: “I don’t know what to say. This day felt impossible honestly, cause you’ve been through A LOT and you always fought and made it to the other side somehow, so this just can’t be real. I’ll miss talking about Granny behind her back during family gatherings the most (sorry Granny). You were mean and ornery as hell but I love you forever and I will never forget you. I love you Pa Bill. I know there’s a garage and a truck waiting up there for you. P.S. Don’t worry, I’ll keep talking about Granny behind her back at our family functions. Always had something to say (sorry again Granny) lol. Oh what a joyous reunion it must have been when Bill was met at the Pearly Gates by his parents, Richard and Iva Smallwood, his sister and brother-in-law, Edith and O’Deen Keathley, brothers and sister-in-law, Richard Jr., Benny and Alma Smallwood, his father and mother-in-law, Selmar and Millie Hutchens, brothers and sisters-in-law, Elmer Hutchens, James and Marie Hutchens, Lois and Col. Glenn Brooks, Dewey and Modena Hutchens, Glen Hutchens and Curtis Hutchens. Also treasured friends, Don and Joyce Strawn, Larry Schneider, and Harold Ellis. Left to celebrate his life are his wife, Betty, Daughters and sons-in-law, Anita and Todd Brown, Shannon and Paul Vidacak, grandchildren, Dallas Brown, Cody White, Stephanie Vidacak, and Blake Brown. great-grandchildren, Baylon Vidacak, Rylan White and Haisley White, one sister, Virginia Clark of The Woodlands, TX., sisters-in-law, Wanda Irving and Mary Brooks, along with many nieces, nephews, in-laws and friends. Bill did not lose his battle with cancer, because it departed when he did---so ultimately it was a tie. R.I.P. Pa Bill, you deserve it. The family will announce and host a memorial service at a later date, as soon as we can safely gather together.

William Harrison Smallwood

December 31, 1942 - May 1, 2020