Billy Ray Clinkenbeard

Billy Ray Clinkenbeard of Fort Gibson, Oklahoma died on February 19, 2024 in Muskogee, Oklahoma surrounded by loved ones two months shy of his 80th birthday. Billy Ray was born April 16, 1944 in Fort Gibson, OK to Lloyd and Gladys (Peebles) Clinkenbeard. He was the 10th of the eleven children to survive into adulthood. He attended Fort Gibson schools and graduated in 1963. For most of his adult life, he drove long-haul trucks and “put on more miles going backwards than most people have ever driven forward!” Even though he traveled many miles across the country and spent a lot of time away from Oklahoma, coming across the Arkansas River Bridge meant he was home. Fort Gibson would always be where his heart would reside and where he wanted to live out his life after retirement. Bill loved the outdoors and enjoyed pheasant hunting, fishing on the “conderosa”, and golf with family and friends. He loved his dog Maggie and missed her until the day he passed, often reliving those hunting trip memories he made with her. Billy Ray loved watching sports particularly football, basketball and golf and was an OU fan. Preceding him in death are his parents; brothers, Ray, Leroy, Donald Wayne, and Everett Clinkenbeard; and sisters, Lois Palmer, Christine Cawthorne, and Bonnie Rudy. Billy Ray is survived by his wife, Paula; son, Jeffrey Wayne; daughter, Trisha Lynn Cook and her husband, Tom Cook; bonus son, Brandon Dunn and his wife, Amy Dunn; granddaughter Kinsey Cook Clark and her husband, Brandon Clark all of Fort Gibson, OK; granddaughters Emilee Dunn and Abbie Dunn of Modesto, CA; granddaughter Hadley Dunn of Fort Gibson, OK; great-grandson Andrew Dunn, of Modesto, CA. Billy Ray is also survived by his sisters, Pat Berry of Muskogee, OK; Johnnie Sue Hill and husband Bill Hill of Fort Gibson, OK and brother Steve Clinkenbeard and wife Patsy Clinkenbeard of Fort Gibson, OK; nephew Robert Douglas Burt who shared a brother-like relationship his entire life and many other special nieces, nephews, and close friends. Services will be held at the Clifford D. Garrett Family Funeral Home in Fort Gibson, OK. There will be a visitation for family and friends on Friday, February 23, 2024 from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm. Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at 10:00 am with Pastor Dwayne Thompson officiating. The family of Billy Ray Clinkenbeard has entrusted his care, cremation, and service to Clifford D Garrett Family Funeral Home, Fort Gibson. 918-478-2555 Online condolences may be left for the Clinkenbeard family at clifforddgarrettfamilyfh.com

Billy Ray Clinkenbeard

April 16, 1944 - February 19, 2024