William Minor

William “Bill” Michael Minor, age 73, passed peacefully on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at his home north of Fairfax, Oklahoma.

William was born to Adrian and Jody (Parker) Minor on Wednesday, March 31, 1948, in the ‘ole Fairfax Hamill Hospital. He attended Fairfax Elementary, graduated from Shadle Park in Spokane Washington Class of 1966, and received an Associate Degree from the Spokane Community College in Substance Abuse Counseling.

He met his wife in 1972 and later married Joanne (Gardener) in 1981, they lived together in Spokane before moving to Fairfax in 1987. Together they raised five children: Shaw, Patrick, Eryn, Joseph, and Myles.

Bill volunteered for the U.S. Marine Corp before going on with his life. LCPL Minor served his country from July 1966 to May 1969 as a Marine stationed at FLC Camp Books in South Vietnam where he met his Marine brothers who became life-long friends. He was awarded with a Sharpshooter Badge; Combat Action Ribbon; Navy Unit Commendation with Ribbon Bar and One Bronze Star; National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal with Four Bronze Stars; Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Color) and (Civil Actions Color, 1st Class); and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device.

After his military service Bill worked for the Washington State Forestry Department before returning to his hometown, Fairfax, where he worked at the school as a bus driver and a ranch hand for local ranchers. His enjoyments included hunting, fishing, collaging, writing, storytelling, laughing at and with, listening to all genres of music, and joking with everyone.

He leaves as his legacy seven children: Kelli (Minor) Gola and Shannon (Minor) Rhodes of Washington state, Shaw Minor of Stillwater, Patrick (Alicia) Minor of Fairfax, Eryn (Minor) Bilynsky of Lawrence, Kansas; Joseph (Samantha) Minor of Fairfax, and Myles Minor. He also leaves to cherish his memory his seven grandchildren Hunter “Bean”, Sari, Maddox “Mad Max”, Ethan, William, Arabella, and Braxton. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister Connie Sue Tarble.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for 2pm, Saturday, May 29 at the VFW blue building north of the Fairfax Cemetery. The family requests you honor Bill by bringing photo(s), song, memories, and a SMILE!

Any donations in Bill’s memory may be made to the US Marine Toys for Tots Program or the charity of your choice.
We would like to thank friends and family for all the prayers and other show of support thru these difficult times.

He was a devoted father, grandfather, and friend to all he loved.