William "Bill" Owen Coleman

William Owen Coleman, Sr., retired OG&E Electric Service Senior Vice President and Civic and Community Relations Leader. Bill was born in Stillwater, OK, the son of Lester L. Coleman and Juanita M. (Geller) Coleman who had relatives dating to the American Revolutionary War. He lived in Enid, OK in early years, then moved with his parents to Oklahoma City where he attended Oklahoma City schools, graduating from the original Classen High School in 1941 and played first chair clarinet in the then nationally known Classen marching and concert band. He attended Oklahoma State University Engineering School, serving in the Reserve Officer Training Corp. He joined the Army Reserves and was called to active duty during WWII, service in Army specialized training program, the Infantry and the Military Police. After his honorable discharge, he returned to Oklahoma and continued engineering school at the University of Oklahoma, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering in 1947. At OSU and OU he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. Bill was employed at OG&E Electric Services Company as an Engineer in Oklahoma City. Later he was named Senior Vice President in charge of the six region managers who were responsible for supplying electric services and providing customer and community relations throughout the OG&E 30, 000 square mile area in Oklahoma and Western Arkansas. He held that position when he retired after more than 40 years of service. In Oklahoma City, Bill was very active in community and civic relations serving on the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, the Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce, Liberty National Bank, Community Council of Oklahoma City, The United Way, Allied Arts Association (Budget Committee Chariman), Rotary Club of Oklahoma City (Paul Harris Fellow), Oklahoma City Philharmonic Orchestra (Charter Board Member), Better Business Bureau (President and Chairman), Junior Achievement (President and Chairman), Charter Board Member with Dean McGee and Jack Conn to construct and operate the Metro-Conn Course Tunnell system in downtown Oklahoma City, Boy Scouts Last Frontier Council 13 (Life Member) and received the Scouts Silver Beaver Award for outstanding adult service, Salvation Army Board, Oklahoma City Beautiful Board (Vice President), Sirloin Club (FFA Livestock Auction), All Sports Association, OK.C. Downtown Now Inc. (President), Oklahoma City Mens Dinner Club, Sooner Dinner Club (President), Charter Member of Whitehall Club and member of the Petroleum Club. Bill was also a member of the Twin Hills Golf and Country Club and was an avid OU sports fan. He was also very active in the Masonic Fraternity where he became a member of the Red Cross of Constantine. Professionally he was a Registered Professional Engineer and a Life Member of the Oklahoma and National Society of Professional Engineers. Bill is a long time member and usher at All Souls' Episcopal Church in Oklahoma City. He was preceded in death by his parents and first wife, Mary Jane (Goff) Coleman. Survivors include his wife, Jeanette (Sheffield) Coleman; son, William O. Coleman II and wife, Holly Harrison Coleman of OKC; granddaughter, Samantha Dru Coleman of OKC; sister, Anna Lou Coleman Faulkner and her husband Forest of Sequin, Washington and their children, Lisa Faulkner and Forest Jr. and wife Whende; step-sons, Duke D. Petree of OKC, George Kent Petree of OKC; step-grandson, Joshua K. Petree and his wife, Lacy and their sons, Joshua L, Kaleb and Phillip Petree; step-granddaughter, Andrea R. Petree and her sons, Elijah and Ty. The Order for the Burial of the Dead will be 1:00 p.m., Friday, December 11, 2015 at All Souls' Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to All Souls' Episcopal Church Building Fund, 6400 N. Penn, OKC, 73118; Last Frontier Council Boy Scouts Building Fund, 3000 NW 64th, OKC 73116; India Shrine Hospital Transportation Fund; Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation or the non-profit organization of your choice.