Funeral service for Joe Bill Rayburn, age 77 of Alex, will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 13, 2012, in the Southern Baptist Chapel, Alex. Rev. Bob Craddock, Rev. Don Chaffin and Rev. Jon Bawden will officiate. Joe Bill was born the son of Floyd Rayburn and Hazel Roberts Rayburn on Oct. 29, 1934 in Bradley,. He died Jan. 10, 2012 in Chickasha. Joe Bill graduated from Lindsay High School in 1952 and was known as "Bear" by his close friends and classmates. He went into the United States Army in 1957. Joe Bill worked for Hilti Fastening Systems and worked in the oilfield for numerous companies such as R & L Rental Tool and Central Mud Cleaners. He worked for a short time for the Oklahoma Department of Education before returning to the family farm. Joe Bill retired because of health conditions in 1993. He was an avid sports enthusiast and ran the clock for Alex High School sports for 25 years. He also enjoyed playing cards and dominos with all of his friends. He loved all his grandkids, nieces, and nephews who referred to him as the in house jungle gym. He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Hazel Rayburn, brother, Bart Rayburn, first wife, Ruth Rayburn and their infant son, second wife, Beverly Rayburn, and daughter-in-law, Donna Rayburn. Survivors include: a son: Gary Rayburn of Alex; son and wife: Brad and Teri Rayburn of Chickasha, eight grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren; sister-in-law: Virginia Rayburn of Alex; many other brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Interment will be in the Alex Cemetery. Service will be under the direction of the McRay Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Oklahoma Diabetes Foundation.

Source: The Express Star, Chickasha, OK, January 12, 2012.