Bill D. Giles
Billy Donald Giles, 93, of Newcastle, Oklahoma, died peacefully in his sleep and entered the presence of his Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, June 8, 2022.
He joined his beloved wife of 69 years, Mary Anne, to stroll down the streets of gold catching up on the last year and a half. He was born on November 18, 1928, in Pecan Grove, Oklahoma, to Maudie Beatrice (Bennett) Giles and Thomas Wesley “Bud’ Giles. He was the third of five children.
Bill graduated from Yeager High School in May 1945 and enlisted in the Army that same year. He served two stints in the Korean Conflict, 45th Infantry Division, for a total of three years, three months and 15 days and was honorably discharged with a Bronze Star for his service. He was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, and Hawaii during his time in the military.
Bill dated and then married the love of his life, Mary Anne Vail, on September 21, 1952. Bill and Mary Anne had three children: Frankie Lee, Lisa Dianne, and Jennifer Anne, over the next 10 years and raised their family in Moore, Oklahoma. Bill’s 50-year career was diverse but centered on the asbestos industry in various roles. From the mid-50s through the 70s, he was an industrial insulator for Local 94 in Oklahoma City. He served many years as the Local 94 President and was successful in negotiating union contracts for members.
After his time as an insulator, he was appointed as the Oklahoma Assistant Labor Commissioner under Commissioner Bill Paulk. He served in a capacity to establish guidelines for the removal of asbestos in the State of Oklahoma for the next 10 years.
At the age of 55, Bill started his own company, Asbestos Analytics, Inc. and became a wellknown expert in his field. He worked all over the United States for companies such as Proctor & Gamble, ShopKo, Texaco, Conoco, Mobil, Kerr McGee, Lucent, AT&T, OKC Public Schools and other companies/organizations that were faced with removing asbestos from their manufacturing plants and buildings. He actively worked well into his 80s.
Bill became a Christian in 1955 and served as a Deacon in three churches, Central Avenue Free Will Baptist, Southern Oaks Free Will Baptist, and Newcastle Free Will Baptist. He and Mary Anne ministered to the young married adults for many years and were instrumental in mentoring many young married couples.
Bill and Mary Anne were always inviting people into their home and pouring into the lives of others. Bill has been an active member of the Newcastle Free Will Baptist Church since 1995.
Bill was a hard worker with a servant’s heart. If he knew someone needed help, he was there. He was a “true” friend for life. Even in the last couple of years, he would call his school friends and Army buddies to check on them. He was the patriarch of both the Giles’ and the Vail’s families and always checked to see how everyone was faring. His life was a true example of a godly man. He loved life and his family, but above all, he loved and represented God and His Kingdom.
Bill was preceded in death by: his wife, Mary Anne; his parents, “Bud” and Maudie Giles; brothers Jim and Charlie Giles; and sister, Evelyn Gentry.
He is survived by: one sister, Phyllis O’Donley of Holdenville; his children, Frank (Rhonda) Giles of Newcastle, Lisa (Gary) Caison of Newcastle, Jennifer (Carl) Spruill of Chesapeake, Virginia; eight grandchildren, Ryan (Thaja) Giles of Newcastle, Erica (Josh) Phillips of Newcastle, Mason Giles of Newcastle, Ashton Jolley of Newcastle, Josh (Bethany) Jolley of Newcastle, Olivia Lloyd of Oklahoma City, Ethan Spruill of Chesapeake, Virginia, and Graham (Jess) Spruill of Ames, Iowa; 10 great-grandchildren; and a host of family and friends.
The “Celebration of Life” services were Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at the Newcastle Free Will Baptist Church, 3133 NW 24th Street, Newcastle, Oklahoma, and the interment was at Resthaven Memory Gardens Cemetery (S. Western and S.W. 104th Street, Oklahoma City). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Newcastle Free Will Baptist Benevolence Fund. Arrangements were under the direction of Eisenhour Funeral Home of Blanchard. Online obituary and guest book are available at www.eisenhourfh.com.