William Howard Metzer Jr.'s Obituary
William Howard “Bill” Metzer was born on Sept. 30, 1932, in Blackwell, Okla. He was the son of Howard and Carolyn (Goerke) Metzer and the younger brother of Gloria Metzer Madderra. He died on March 26, 2019, in Tulsa at the age of 86 years, 6 months and 26 days. His family would say they’re grateful for every one of those days.Bill was educated and started his life’s adventure in Blackwell. It was there that he met the love of his life, Marilyn Fey, while they were both still in school. They continued their adventure together after he joined the Air Force. He proudly served his country for 26 years, from November 1952 to November 1978, taking his family to Air Force bases in Texas, Alabama, the Philippines, New York, New Jersey and Hawaii. Bill’s service took him to all corners of the world. He logged thousands of hours in the air, traveling tens of thousands of miles to work in the service of his nation. He knew without a doubt that American strength made the rest of the world safer and better.Bill retired from the Air Force at the rank of senior master sergeant, but his commitment to service never waned. Settling back home in Oklahoma, he started a second career at Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City, eventually becoming the hospital’s director of security. During their years living in Surrey Hills, Bill and Marilyn were active members of Piedmont United Methodist Church, where they both sang in the choir. During that time, Bill dedicated himself too, to the church’s Volunteers in Mission program, traveling numerous times to impoverished places in countries like El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala where he and others helped many people in need. Among other things, he mixed heavy bags of powdered cement with water in open holes to make concrete for the foundations of churches the volunteers built. When he got a little too old to do that, he continued to serve, helping to match youngsters and others in those countries with glasses donated to help them see.Bill’s commitment to helping others was eclipsed only by his extraordinary dedication to and love for his family. Bill and Marilyn had three children: David, Susan and Steven, and even when they may have tried his patience Bill always made it clear to them that he was on their side. He was a great dad and eventually a great “Papa” to five grandchildren: Danielle, Michelle, Lindsay, Jessica and Matthew. As his grandkids grew and began to have families of their own, Papa only extended his love. No doubt some of the happiest days of his life were Thanksgivings and Christmases spent at home with his ever-growing family. He and Marilyn had great times traveling together in retirement to Hawaii, Alaska and to Europe, and spent a number of winters enjoying life in St. Augustine, Fla. They always looked forward to visits with family members Gary and Rebecca Davis of Ponca City. In their 66 years together, they also cultivated many lifelong friends, among them Mike and Clara Clark of Sallisaw.Bill and Marilyn moved to Broken Arrow in 1999 and eventually to Bixby, where he lived the remainder of his life.He is survived by his loving wife, Marilyn; by three children and their spouses: David and Joyce Metzer of Kennesaw, Ga.; Susan and Dr. JoeBob Kirk of Owasso; and Steven and Kathy Metzer of Duncan; by five grandchildren and their spouses: Danielle and Scott Garten of Alexandria, Va.; Michelle and Ross Davis of Smyrna, Ga.; Lindsay and Chris Maguire of Rockwall, Tx.; Jessica and Mickey Peercy of Tulsa; and Matthew Metzer of Oklahoma City; by five great-grandchildren: Charlie, Maddie, Brennan, Tristan and Griffin; and by his sister, Gloria Madderra of Texas.In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested that donations be made to the Volunteers in Mission program of the United Methodist Church. https://umvim.org/about_us/donate.html Celebration of Life Service will be 1:30 p.m., Monday, April 8, 2019 at Bixby United Methodist Church.
What’s your fondest memory of William?
What’s a lesson you learned from William?
Share a story where William's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with William you’ll never forget.
How did William make you smile?