Allford founded W.E. Allford, Inc., which sold propane and wholesale gasoline. He also had his own line of filling stations and became well-known as an area businessman. In addition, Allford served on the state Transportation Commission. The W.E. "Bill" Allford overpass over Wyandotte Avenue is named in his honor. Former Oklahoma Gov. George Nigh characterized Allford as a great public servant and a civic-minded person. "He was a classic example of giving back to the community," said Nigh. "He worked very diligently for McAlester and southeastern Oklahoma. "I'm glad he was able to serve in my administration," Nigh said, referring to Allford's work with the Transportation Commission.
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Wilson Ervin "Bill" Allford was born near Scipio, Oklahoma, the son of John Martin and Effie Mae (Nabors) Allford. He attended Mt. Homa grade schools and graduated from Indianola High School in 1937. While in high school, Mr. Allford was the first person from Pittsburg County to win first place at the state livestock show. His love of cattle ranching continued throughout his life. Mr. Allford began his business career in McAlester in 1937 at an automobile dealership owned by E. L. George and then became a salesman of tractors and farm equipment for D. W. Griffith. At the age of 26, he owned the Eagle Market Grocery on Grand Avenue and later purchased the Weddle Grocery store at "A" and Cherokee. During this time he also owned a Case tractor dealership and later a John Deere Agency. In 1953, he established W. E. Allford, Inc., selling Mobil products and soon thereafter began delivering propane. With the help of his mother-in-law, Grace Weddle, an invaluable employee for over 30 years, and many dedicated employees, Bill developed the largest Mobil distributorship in the State of Oklahoma. He retired in 1980 from his oil company and devoted his time to ranching, oil and gas investments, and his family. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of McAlester and served many years as a Deacon, becoming Deacon Emeritus in recent years. He was designated the "Dean of Commissioners" for the State of Oklahoma Highway Commission, a position he held for sixteen years (longer than anyone in the state's history) under the governorships of J. Howard Edmondson, David Boren, and George Nigh. Bill was a member of the Eastern Pasture Research Station Advisory Committee, Pittsburg County Program Advisory and the Eastern Oklahoma State College Ranch Advisory Committees. In 1983, the State of Oklahoma and the OSU Agronomy Department presented him with the Master Agronomist Award. He was an Honorary State 4-H member and a member of the Pittsburg County Cattlemen's Association and in 1997 was honored with the prestigious Pete Echelle Award. Throughout the years, Bill served on the Boards of the McAlester Chamber of Commerce, First National Bank and Trust Company, McAlester Hospital Authority, McAlester Salvation Army, McAlester Boys and Girls Club, serving one year as president, and the Eastern Oklahoma State College Development Foundation. Bill was a member of the McAlester Rotary Club, serving one year as President, and was named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. He was a 50-year member of the Masonic South McAlester Lodge Number 96, McAlester Consistory of the Scottish Rite and the Bedouin Temple Shrine. Survivors include his wife of almost 62 years, Ramona; one daughter and son-in-law, Linda Kay and Mike Deak of West Chester, Pennsylvania; two sons and daughters-in-law, Larry and Gayle Allford and Ronald and Janis Allford, all of McAlester; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Joe Allford of McAlester and J. M. "Jim" and June Allford of Holdenville, Oklahoma; ten grand children, Diane Deak of Wayne, Pennsylvania, Cheryl Deak of Centreville, Virginia, Stephanie Deak of West Chester, Pennsylvania, Kim Allford of Norman, Clint Allford and wife Yvonne of McAlester, Christie Watson and husband David of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Amy Owens and husband Greg of McAlester, Mona Gayle Voss and hus band Richard of Coffeyville, Kansas, Abby Allford of McAlester, and Eric Allford of McAlester; and three great-grandchildren, Lauren Allford, Collin and Carter Watson. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Mattie Moore; and four brothers, Bob, Antney, Ben, and Miller. Pallbearers will be Clint Allford, Eric Allford, Joe Brower, Wesley Brown, James Countz, Gary Fugitt, Doug McLean, Jim Mills, Jim Miller, Dominic Silva, John Allford, J.A. Allford. Funeral services are at 2:00 p.m., August 13, 2001 at The First Baptist Church of McAlester with Dr. Randall Adams officiating. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery under the direction of the Bishop Funeral Service.
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Wilson Ervin "Bill" Allford was born near Scipio, Oklahoma, the son of John Martin and Effie Mae (Nabors) Allford. He attended Mt. Homa grade schools and graduated from Indianola High School in 1937. While in high school, Mr. Allford was the first person from Pittsburg County to win first place at the state livestock show. His love of cattle ranching continued throughout his life. Mr. Allford began his business career in McAlester in 1937 at an automobile dealership owned by E. L. George and then became a salesman of tractors and farm equipment for D. W. Griffith. At the age of 26, he owned the Eagle Market Grocery on Grand Avenue and later purchased the Weddle Grocery store at "A" and Cherokee. During this time he also owned a Case tractor dealership and later a John Deere Agency. In 1953, he established W. E. Allford, Inc., selling Mobil products and soon thereafter began delivering propane. With the help of his mother-in-law, Grace Weddle, an invaluable employee for over 30 years, and many dedicated employees, Bill developed the largest Mobil distributorship in the State of Oklahoma. He retired in 1980 from his oil company and devoted his time to ranching, oil and gas investments, and his family. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of McAlester and served many years as a Deacon, becoming Deacon Emeritus in recent years. He was designated the "Dean of Commissioners" for the State of Oklahoma Highway Commission, a position he held for sixteen years (longer than anyone in the state's history) under the governorships of J. Howard Edmondson, David Boren, and George Nigh. Bill was a member of the Eastern Pasture Research Station Advisory Committee, Pittsburg County Program Advisory and the Eastern Oklahoma State College Ranch Advisory Committees. In 1983, the State of Oklahoma and the OSU Agronomy Department presented him with the Master Agronomist Award. He was an Honorary State 4-H member and a member of the Pittsburg County Cattlemen's Association and in 1997 was honored with the prestigious Pete Echelle Award. Throughout the years, Bill served on the Boards of the McAlester Chamber of Commerce, First National Bank and Trust Company, McAlester Hospital Authority, McAlester Salvation Army, McAlester Boys and Girls Club, serving one year as president, and the Eastern Oklahoma State College Development Foundation. Bill was a member of the McAlester Rotary Club, serving one year as President, and was named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. He was a 50-year member of the Masonic South McAlester Lodge Number 96, McAlester Consistory of the Scottish Rite and the Bedouin Temple Shrine. Survivors include his wife of almost 62 years, Ramona; one daughter and son-in-law, Linda Kay and Mike Deak of West Chester, Pennsylvania; two sons and daughters-in-law, Larry and Gayle Allford and Ronald and Janis Allford, all of McAlester; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Joe Allford of McAlester and J. M. "Jim" and June Allford of Holdenville, Oklahoma; ten grand children, Diane Deak of Wayne, Pennsylvania, Cheryl Deak of Centreville, Virginia, Stephanie Deak of West Chester, Pennsylvania, Kim Allford of Norman, Clint Allford and wife Yvonne of McAlester, Christie Watson and husband David of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Amy Owens and husband Greg of McAlester, Mona Gayle Voss and hus band Richard of Coffeyville, Kansas, Abby Allford of McAlester, and Eric Allford of McAlester; and three great-grandchildren, Lauren Allford, Collin and Carter Watson. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Mattie Moore; and four brothers, Bob, Antney, Ben, and Miller. Pallbearers will be Clint Allford, Eric Allford, Joe Brower, Wesley Brown, James Countz, Gary Fugitt, Doug McLean, Jim Mills, Jim Miller, Dominic Silva, John Allford, J.A. Allford. Funeral services are at 2:00 p.m., August 13, 2001 at The First Baptist Church of McAlester with Dr. Randall Adams officiating. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery under the direction of the Bishop Funeral Service.
Allford founded W.E. Allford, Inc., which sold propane and wholesale gasoline. He also had his own line of filling stations and became well-known as an area businessman. In addition, Allford served on the state Transportation Commission. The W.E. "Bill" Allford overpass over Wyandotte Avenue is named in his honor. Former Oklahoma Gov. George Nigh characterized Allford as a great public servant and a civic-minded person. "He was a classic example of giving back to the community," said Nigh. "He worked very diligently for McAlester and southeastern Oklahoma. "I'm glad he was able to serve in my administration," Nigh said, referring to Allford's work with the Transportation Commission.
_________________
Wilson Ervin "Bill" Allford was born near Scipio, Oklahoma, the son of John Martin and Effie Mae (Nabors) Allford. He attended Mt. Homa grade schools and graduated from Indianola High School in 1937. While in high school, Mr. Allford was the first person from Pittsburg County to win first place at the state livestock show. His love of cattle ranching continued throughout his life. Mr. Allford began his business career in McAlester in 1937 at an automobile dealership owned by E. L. George and then became a salesman of tractors and farm equipment for D. W. Griffith. At the age of 26, he owned the Eagle Market Grocery on Grand Avenue and later purchased the Weddle Grocery store at "A" and Cherokee. During this time he also owned a Case tractor dealership and later a John Deere Agency. In 1953, he established W. E. Allford, Inc., selling Mobil products and soon thereafter began delivering propane. With the help of his mother-in-law, Grace Weddle, an invaluable employee for over 30 years, and many dedicated employees, Bill developed the largest Mobil distributorship in the State of Oklahoma. He retired in 1980 from his oil company and devoted his time to ranching, oil and gas investments, and his family. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of McAlester and served many years as a Deacon, becoming Deacon Emeritus in recent years. He was designated the "Dean of Commissioners" for the State of Oklahoma Highway Commission, a position he held for sixteen years (longer than anyone in the state's history) under the governorships of J. Howard Edmondson, David Boren, and George Nigh. Bill was a member of the Eastern Pasture Research Station Advisory Committee, Pittsburg County Program Advisory and the Eastern Oklahoma State College Ranch Advisory Committees. In 1983, the State of Oklahoma and the OSU Agronomy Department presented him with the Master Agronomist Award. He was an Honorary State 4-H member and a member of the Pittsburg County Cattlemen's Association and in 1997 was honored with the prestigious Pete Echelle Award. Throughout the years, Bill served on the Boards of the McAlester Chamber of Commerce, First National Bank and Trust Company, McAlester Hospital Authority, McAlester Salvation Army, McAlester Boys and Girls Club, serving one year as president, and the Eastern Oklahoma State College Development Foundation. Bill was a member of the McAlester Rotary Club, serving one year as President, and was named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. He was a 50-year member of the Masonic South McAlester Lodge Number 96, McAlester Consistory of the Scottish Rite and the Bedouin Temple Shrine. Survivors include his wife of almost 62 years, Ramona; one daughter and son-in-law, Linda Kay and Mike Deak of West Chester, Pennsylvania; two sons and daughters-in-law, Larry and Gayle Allford and Ronald and Janis Allford, all of McAlester; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Joe Allford of McAlester and J. M. "Jim" and June Allford of Holdenville, Oklahoma; ten grand children, Diane Deak of Wayne, Pennsylvania, Cheryl Deak of Centreville, Virginia, Stephanie Deak of West Chester, Pennsylvania, Kim Allford of Norman, Clint Allford and wife Yvonne of McAlester, Christie Watson and husband David of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Amy Owens and husband Greg of McAlester, Mona Gayle Voss and hus band Richard of Coffeyville, Kansas, Abby Allford of McAlester, and Eric Allford of McAlester; and three great-grandchildren, Lauren Allford, Collin and Carter Watson. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Mattie Moore; and four brothers, Bob, Antney, Ben, and Miller. Pallbearers will be Clint Allford, Eric Allford, Joe Brower, Wesley Brown, James Countz, Gary Fugitt, Doug McLean, Jim Mills, Jim Miller, Dominic Silva, John Allford, J.A. Allford. Funeral services are at 2:00 p.m., August 13, 2001 at The First Baptist Church of McAlester with Dr. Randall Adams officiating. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery under the direction of the Bishop Funeral Service.
_________________
Wilson Ervin "Bill" Allford was born near Scipio, Oklahoma, the son of John Martin and Effie Mae (Nabors) Allford. He attended Mt. Homa grade schools and graduated from Indianola High School in 1937. While in high school, Mr. Allford was the first person from Pittsburg County to win first place at the state livestock show. His love of cattle ranching continued throughout his life. Mr. Allford began his business career in McAlester in 1937 at an automobile dealership owned by E. L. George and then became a salesman of tractors and farm equipment for D. W. Griffith. At the age of 26, he owned the Eagle Market Grocery on Grand Avenue and later purchased the Weddle Grocery store at "A" and Cherokee. During this time he also owned a Case tractor dealership and later a John Deere Agency. In 1953, he established W. E. Allford, Inc., selling Mobil products and soon thereafter began delivering propane. With the help of his mother-in-law, Grace Weddle, an invaluable employee for over 30 years, and many dedicated employees, Bill developed the largest Mobil distributorship in the State of Oklahoma. He retired in 1980 from his oil company and devoted his time to ranching, oil and gas investments, and his family. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of McAlester and served many years as a Deacon, becoming Deacon Emeritus in recent years. He was designated the "Dean of Commissioners" for the State of Oklahoma Highway Commission, a position he held for sixteen years (longer than anyone in the state's history) under the governorships of J. Howard Edmondson, David Boren, and George Nigh. Bill was a member of the Eastern Pasture Research Station Advisory Committee, Pittsburg County Program Advisory and the Eastern Oklahoma State College Ranch Advisory Committees. In 1983, the State of Oklahoma and the OSU Agronomy Department presented him with the Master Agronomist Award. He was an Honorary State 4-H member and a member of the Pittsburg County Cattlemen's Association and in 1997 was honored with the prestigious Pete Echelle Award. Throughout the years, Bill served on the Boards of the McAlester Chamber of Commerce, First National Bank and Trust Company, McAlester Hospital Authority, McAlester Salvation Army, McAlester Boys and Girls Club, serving one year as president, and the Eastern Oklahoma State College Development Foundation. Bill was a member of the McAlester Rotary Club, serving one year as President, and was named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. He was a 50-year member of the Masonic South McAlester Lodge Number 96, McAlester Consistory of the Scottish Rite and the Bedouin Temple Shrine. Survivors include his wife of almost 62 years, Ramona; one daughter and son-in-law, Linda Kay and Mike Deak of West Chester, Pennsylvania; two sons and daughters-in-law, Larry and Gayle Allford and Ronald and Janis Allford, all of McAlester; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Joe Allford of McAlester and J. M. "Jim" and June Allford of Holdenville, Oklahoma; ten grand children, Diane Deak of Wayne, Pennsylvania, Cheryl Deak of Centreville, Virginia, Stephanie Deak of West Chester, Pennsylvania, Kim Allford of Norman, Clint Allford and wife Yvonne of McAlester, Christie Watson and husband David of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Amy Owens and husband Greg of McAlester, Mona Gayle Voss and hus band Richard of Coffeyville, Kansas, Abby Allford of McAlester, and Eric Allford of McAlester; and three great-grandchildren, Lauren Allford, Collin and Carter Watson. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Mattie Moore; and four brothers, Bob, Antney, Ben, and Miller. Pallbearers will be Clint Allford, Eric Allford, Joe Brower, Wesley Brown, James Countz, Gary Fugitt, Doug McLean, Jim Mills, Jim Miller, Dominic Silva, John Allford, J.A. Allford. Funeral services are at 2:00 p.m., August 13, 2001 at The First Baptist Church of McAlester with Dr. Randall Adams officiating. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery under the direction of the Bishop Funeral Service.
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