William DeTurk

July 22, 1948 - February 10, 2021

It is with the deepest of sorrow that we share news of the passing of our father, William “Rappy” DeTurk, on Wednesday, February 10, 2021. Our Dad, William (aka Bill) Deturk, son of William and Eleanor, was born July 22, 1948 in Clarksville, West Virginia. His family later moved to Oklahoma where Dad graduated from Henryetta High School and later attended Northeastern State University. He also served in the Air Force including a tour in Vietnam. Soon after, Dad met the love of his life, our mother, Joyce Stemple . Married in Maryland in 1969, Mom and Dad moved to Oklahoma to start a family buying a home outside of Beggs. Then the two of us came along, first Brad, then Kerri. “‘Rappy,” as we fondly called him, had started his career with AT&T retiring after 35 years. Our family worked hard, laughed and played, and lived life as fully as we could celebrating with feats at Red Lobster, staying at high rise Tulsa hotels to watch fireworks on July4th, and so much more. Along with school events, ball games, and church activities, Rappy enjoyed a good game of golf, hunting around Beggs and in Colorado, and definitely a winning OU football game. When we had friends sleepover, he would wake the whole house at dawn with noisy, off key singing . . Yes, he could be loud and funny, but he was always sweet and caring . Sadly, tragedy struck with the loss of our mother, Joyce, in 2001. It was a devastating for us all but it was especially difficult for Rappy . The Rappy that we knew gave his all at work, greatly loved the outdoors, filled everyday with a good laugh, and counted home and family life as his top priority . Home was where Rappy’s heart was. Left behind to carry on this legacy is a family that loved him deeply and will miss him beyond words . a devoted son and wife , Brad and Shawn DeTurk, Okmulgee, a loving daughter and husband, Kerri DeTurk and Brad Beeseley, Mounds, along with the sunshine of his days, grandchildren Colt, Alana, Meagan, Brett, and Blue; his childhood companions -sisters Bobbin Pitts, Betty Simmons, and Kay Sutterfield, brothers - Johnny and Mike DeTurk . We grieve at the loss of our funny, loving, devoted father, but we celebrate his being truly Home and reunited with our mother, his devoted, loving companion . When we meet again, Mom and Dad, there will be no more parting. “I know in whom I have believed and I am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day”. . . II. Timothy 1: 12. A memorial service for Rappy will be held later in the spring . . Arrangements have been entrusted to the McClendon-Winters Funeral Home of Okmulgee. Memories, condolences, photos and videos may be shared with the family on DeTurk ‘s Tribute Page of our website at www.mcclendon-winters.com