Billy Ray Delp

Billy Ray "Bill" Delp passed away Feb. 28, 2012 from complications of pulmonary fibrosis. He was born Oct. 6, 1931 in Thomas, OK, the son of Philip and Sidney Delp. At the age of 6 he moved with his family to Foss, OK where he graduated high school. He attended Oklahoma City University in 1951 until his funds ran out, at which time he entered the US Army. He served during the Korean War as an infantryman and medic and was honorably discharged in 1954. He returned to Oklahoma and married Wynema Field on Jan. 9, 1955. Bill used his GI Bill to complete his education, graduating from OU in 1959 where he majored in marketing and obtained a Bachelors degree in Business. After graduation he re-enlisted in the Army as a 2nd Lt. and spent 3 years in Germany. In 1963 he resigned his commission as a Capt. and was honorably discharged. Bill and his family returned to Oklahoma where he obtained his realtor's and broker's licenses then opened Delp & Co Real Estate which he owned and operated for many years. After surviving cancer in 1986, he used his entrepreneurial skills and established several small, independent businesses one of which was the first used computer store in Oklahoma City. Bill was also a self-taught artist and sculptor and in 1991 he had a booth at Frontier City where he made copper jewelry to the delight of patrons at the amusement park. Bill was a true renaissance man. Not only did he possess a keen business sense, he was an artist, an inventor and could fix just about anything. He particularly enjoyed restoring old foreign cars, one of which was a 1938 BMW Staff car that he obtained while being stationed in Germany. This involved rebuilding the engine on their kitchen table, much to his wife's chagrin. As the years passed and Bill's family grew he liked nothing better than to have his family near and regale them with stories. His wife and companion of 57 years, his sons and daughters and his grandchildren were his joy and when all came together his life was filled with love and laughter at the delight of just being in each other's presence. He is preceded in death by his parents Philip and Sidney Delp and his sister and her husband Mary and Bruce Dennis. He is survived by his wife Wynema, a brother, Jr. Delp and wife Mary Faye of Foss, OK; three sons, Chris Delp of Dallas; TX, Bruce Delp and wife Sheryl of Edmond; and Brian Delp and wife Susan of Belleville, NJ; 5 grandchildren, Vanessa Seals and husband Jaymes of Ft. Worth, TX; Lauren Delp and Rachel Delp both of Edmond, OK; Ben Delp of Kansas City, MO; and Danielle Rhodes of Bismarck, ND; two honorary sons, Michael Bennett and Craig Callas both of Oklahoma City; and many nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be held Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at 2 p. m. at Smith & Kernke Chapel on North May Ave. Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in celebration of Bill's life and memory to the charity of your choice.