William "Bill" G. Gustafson

William "Bill" G. Gustafson, 84, was born in El Reno, OK on Sept. 16, 1930 and died at his home in Oklahoma City on May 24, 2015. Bill was born to Oliver B. and D. Madelyn Gustafson and grew up in El Reno before attending the University of Oklahoma. Bill joined the 45th Division of the Oklahoma National Guard in 1946 during his junior year in high school. He served as a Master Sergeant in the 45th Infantry Division of the Korean War before being severely wounded. Bill and his wife, Kay, were married in Oklahoma City on Feb. 29, 1976. A devoted Republican and a true patriot, Bill was elected to the Oklahoma State Senate in 1990 and served the people of Senate District 22 for eight years. He was also selected by his fellow Senate Republicans to serve as Minority Leader in 1996 and during his time of service was known as a fair and hard-working negotiator among the entire Legislature. He served with distinction as an outspoken supporter of business and economic development issues and was the catalyst behind a law requiring state agencies to utilize the U.S. Postal Service bar codes and bulk mailing, which saved the state an estimated $2 million a year. A recipient of the "Purple Heart" for wounds received during the Korean War, he has also been an advocate for Oklahoma's veterans and authored a resolution to save the famed 45th Infantry Brigade in the early 90s. Prior to being elected to the State Senate, Bill was an executive at Penn Mutual where he received the honor of being named the Penn Mutual "Man of the Year". He also served as the president of Petra Resources Inc., an advanced-stage exploration, production and development company, as well as the president of Whitetail Services, Inc., an oilfield service company and Whitetail Tree Farm. Throughout his life, Bill was an active community supporter and served as a board member of numerous organizations including Okarche-based Center of Family Love which serves as a safe home of love for developmentally challenged adults. He also served on the board of Preservation El Reno, Inc. and was noted for being one of the strongest organizers and supporters of local preservation efforts designed to stop the neglect, deterioration, or destruction of important historic buildings. He was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church, past president of the Oklahoma Historical Society, and a board member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Disabled American Veterans (DAV). In addition, he served on the board of the Oklahoma Life Underwriters Association, was president of the board of the Oklahoma City General Agents and Managers Association and was a member of the Oklahoma Nursery and Landscape Association. He received several honors and numerous recognitions including the Oklahoma Distinguished Service Medal and the El Reno High School Outstanding Alumni Award awarded by the El Reno Public School Foundation. In addition to the "Purple Heart" he was awarded in 1991, he was also awarded the Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Campaign Star, The Army of Occupation Medal (Japan), The Combat Infantry Badge, the United Nations Service Medal and Republic of Korea War Service Medal. He is survived by a myriad of beloved family and friends including his wife, Kay, of 39 years, as well as his three children, Trisha Akyioshi and her husband, David, and Cindi Inman and her husband, Paul, all of Lodi, CA, as well as his son, Bill Gustafson, II and his wife, Debbie, of Oklahoma City. His sisters and brothers-in-law include Jean and Mike Sewell of Grand Junction, CO and Buzz and Janet Bainbridge of Palm Springs, CA. "Pops" was deeply adored by his grandchildren including Will Ownby of Sacramento, CA; Traci Stamper and her husband, Kevin, and Josh and Jacob Inman, all of Lodi, CA; Jessica Johnston and her husband, Ryan, Casie Gustafson, and Carly Minks and her husband, Stephen, as well as Dillon and Bleek Wehba, all of Oklahoma City. He was also blessed by four great grandchildren including Elin and Reece Johnston, Miles Minks and Sutton Stamper. He is predeceased by his daughter, Brook Wehba. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations should be sent to The Folds of Honor foundation, 5800 N. Patriot Drive, Owasso, OK, 74055 or Catholic Charities, 1501 N. Classen Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73106. A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, May 28 at 11 a.m. at Christ The King Catholic Church, 8005 Dorset Drive.