Billy “Bill” Joe Walston
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Funeral services for Billy “Bill” Joe Walston, age 86 years, 2 months and 14 days, a longtime Atoka resident, will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, November 13, 2020, at Brown’s Funeral Service Chapel, in Atoka with Brother Sammy Vaughn officiating.
Interment will be in Green Meadows Cemetery, at Atoka.
Services are under the direction of Brown’s Funeral Service, in Atoka.
Walston passed away on Sunday, November 8, 2020, at Atoka.
He was born on Saturday, August 25, 1934, to Kenneth “Bud” Buell and Veta Verna (Sanders) Walston, at Walters.
Walston graduated from Ada High School and attended Murray College.
He joined the Marine Corps in 1954, enlisting in the Oklahoma Buddy Company. Walston served boot camp at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, California. His overseas deployment was to Alaska and then to Japan, where he served as a medical supply truck driver, earning the rank of Corporal. During his time in Japan, he was awed and amazed by the sight of Mt. Fuji and often wished he could see the view from the top, so much so, he and some members of his squad got leave and actually climbed it. Walston enjoyed learning the culture, the language and local customs including local fishing methods.
He married the love of his life, JoAnn (Sweet) on Saturday, May 21, 1955, at Lindsey. They walked hand and hand with an enduring love for over 60 years before her passing.
Walston’s careers ranged from the oil field, to automotive care, to retiring from the Savannah Ammunition Base. For many years, him and his wife owned and operated Walston’s Tire and Alignment Center, in Atoka.
He was a member of Assembly of God for many many years. From his travels, he had and loved to share stories of what he had seen and experienced. From his parents, he developed a great sense of humor. Walston loved a good joke and practical jokes and when they were pulled on him, he loved it and would plan revenge. No question that he loved his family and loved spending time with them. A man of many talents, he enjoyed gardening, quilting, woodworking, knife making, leather crafts, hunting, fishing, reading and in earlier days, playing “mumblety-peg” with his nephews. He was always open to learning new things and reflecting on historical events of the past.
Survivors include his son, Dennis Walston and wife, Angela; daughter, Karen Walston-Wooten and husband, Clif; grandsons, Logan Walston and wife, Dian; Ben Walston; Billy Kyle Johnson and wife, Ashley; Matt Waggoner and wife, Laura; Brandon Waggoner and wife, Tiana; AJ Wooten and wife, Addison; granddaughters, Brittany Godi and husband, Cole; Miranda Wooten; five great-granddaughters; seven great-grandsons; sister, Venita Holbrook and husband, Mickey; sisters-in-law, Betty Walston and Rozan Walston; along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear and loved friends and special friend, Evelyn Ali.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Bud and Veta Walston; wife, JoAnn Walston; great-grandson, Kallen Johnson; sister, Juanita Bingham; brothers, Don, Jerry, Kenny and Kenneth Walston.
Pallbearers are Dennis Walston, Clif Wooten, Ted Nichols, Eddie Nichols, Randy Nichols and Billy Kyle Johnson.
Honorary pallbearers are Bobby Sweet, Ernie Sweet, Logan Walston, Ben Walston and Randy Walston.
Family night will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., on Thursday, November 12, 2020, at Brown’s Funeral Service, in Atoka.
Condolences may be sent to the family by email to: BROWNS@ATOKA.NET. Please reference the name of the deceased in your correspondence.
