Obituary of Col. William G. "Bill" Renfro

“As I look back on my life, I think of myself as a very fortunate person. More opportunities have appeared before me than most people could hope for in a lifetime. I’ve had a chance to sample all the things that were great attractions to me whether it was piloting a plane, fishing in all the major oceans, playing golf on the famous courses or traveling to destinations around the world.” Bill passed away peacefully on December 4, 2016 surrounded by family and friends. Bill was determined to reach his 100th birthday, which he did and celebrated in style, as he did each day of his life. Bill was born August 2, 1916 in Savannah, Oklahoma to Hiram and Anna (Scanlin) Renfro in humble surroundings. Bill graduated from Tulsa Central High and attended Southwestern University where he was president of the student body and captain of the wrestling team, winning the AAU national wrestling tournament for the 147 lb. class. While a senior there, he met and fell in love with Joni Dietrich. They married in May of 1942, had 3 sons and were happily married until Joni's death in 1988 after a courageous battle with breast cancer. Years after the death of his beloved Joni, he fell for an old friend, Grace McMahon and began a new chapter in his life. He and Grace were married in August of 1992, spending the next 24 years on their honeymoon. Grace and Bill loved traveling and playing golf in foreign countries and particularly enjoyed entertaining family and friends at their homes in Crested Butte, CO and on Grande Lake in Oklahoma. Bill was a retired Air Force Colonel and had been an outstanding B-29 bomber pilot in World War II. He also had tours of duty in Fort Worth, TX, Albuquerque, NM, Paris, France with NATO, two tours at the Pentagon, as well as the State Department. Bill spent his retirement fishing, traveling the world, playing golf, which he took up in his 70's (eventually shooting his age, a feat few can claim!), and keeping Grace in stitches! Bill was always the life of the party, always had a joke and enjoyed a good laugh, good friends, a good drink and bragging about his family. “Above everything I’ve accomplished in my life, nothing compares to the pride I have in our family.” Bill was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Wayne Renfro; sister, Doris Geiger; and wife, Joni Renfro. Bill is survived by his wife, Grace McMahon, his sons, Michael Renfro and his wife, Deborah, Robert Renfro and James Renfro. He is also survived by Grace's children Mary McMahon and her husband, Lon, Susie Stearns and her husband, J.R., Carolyn Westervelt and her husband, Joe, John McMahon and his wife, Patty, David McMahon and his wife, Kathrine; many grandchildren and great grandchildren, his brother-in-law and dear friend, C.H. Nelson and many nieces and nephews. The family wishes to especially thank Bill’s caregiver, Jana Satterwhite for her dedication and excellent care during the last years of his life, which truly enriched and brought him much happiness. A memorial mass will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, December 15, 2016 at the Parish of Christ the King Catholic Church in Tulsa. Bill’s ashes will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, friends may contribute in his memory to The Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges, 815 S. Utica Ave., Tulsa, OK 74104, www.tulsacenter.org or Queen of All Saints Catholic Church, 401 Sopris Ave., Crested Butte, CO 81224, www.crestedbuttecatholic.org. Ninde Funeral & Cremation, (918) 742-5556, www.ninde.com