William Birt McGehee passed away in Oklahoma City on Sunday, July 3, 2011, at the age of 77 years.

Birt was the son of Carl & Myrtle (Hodges) McGehee, born on December 13, 1933 in Seminole County, Oklahoma. He was brought up in Seminole County near Little, Oklahoma, and attended Strothers School. Two months before his high school graduation, he joined the U.S. Army and served four years during the Korean War.

He was married to Ilene Bleeker on May 30, 1953, in Okemah, Oklahoma. They have made their home in the Cromwell area since their marriage, and Birt has worked as a heavy equipment operator and as a carpenter. He was a member of the American Legion at Okemah, and a member of the Disabled Veterans of America. He loved horses, and was an authentic Oklahoma cowboy. He was of the Church of Christ faith.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Carl & Mrytle McGehee; one brother, Harvey McGehee; one granddaughter, Heather McGehee and her daughter, Nicole McGehee.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Ilene, of the home; three children: Don McGehee, Zelma Kay Cruce, and Pamela McGehee, all of Cromwell; six grandchildren: Monica Groves and husband Rick, of Yeager, Oklahoma, Melissa Billings and husband Kevin, of Okemah, Lynette Cruce of Cromwell, Jeremy Cruce of Okemah, Amber Parker and husband David, and Alicia Gregory and husband Jason, all of Cromwell; 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter; one sister, Delores Foster of Denver, Colorado, and five brothers: Clarence McGehee and wife Lovonia, of Amarillo, Texas, Tommy McGehee of Little, Oklahoma, Deloyd McGehee of Amarillo, J. G. McGehee and wife Joy, of Garver, Oklahoma, and Jerry McGehee and wife Patsy, of Strothers, Oklahoma; numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 7, 2011, and Birt will be laid to rest at Schoolton Cemetery north of Cromwell.