William Lee Mcnatt

William Lee McNatt passed away peacefully April 15, 2018. Bill was born on December 20, 1933, in Wichita Falls, Texas, the son of Marshall and Myrtle McNatt. He married Julia Lou Hall in 1952, and together raised four children, Bill Jr., David, Phillip and Suzanne. Together for more than 60 years, they traveled, trained and showed horses, practiced archery, rode bikes, hiked and camped, and participated in archeological digs in Oklahoma and New Mexico. A graduate of Classen High School in 1951, Bill continued his education at the School of Engineering at the University of Oklahoma. Bill was a very accomplished engineer with Continental Oil, Phillips Petroleum, and Oklahoma City based Foor Engineering Company. In 1972 Bill founded the W.L. McNatt Construction Company in what was to become Bricktown, and for the next 30 years was responsible for over 500 million dollars worth of new and redevelopment projects throughout Oklahoma City. His works include the remodeling of the Colcord Building, the Oil and Gas Building, the Glass and Confectionary Buildings in Bricktown, as well as numerous projects in Leadership Square. Bill worked alongside Neal Horton in the 1970's as one of the few original investors and developers in the Bricktown projects of both Oklahoma City and Guthrie. Bill was also very involved in Oklahoma City cultural matters, and in 1986 began his tenure as President of the Oklahoma City Ballet Board of Trustees. In 1992 he received the governor's community service award for outstanding community service. Bill was surrounded by wonderful friends, an eclectic assortment of birds and animals, and a variety of nick-nack-paddy-wacks. He is survived by his sister, Nancy Hollis, and his children, David, Phillip, and Suzanne. He was preceded in death by his wife Julia, his eldest son, Bill Jr., and his brothers Marshall and Daniel McNatt. Bill and Julia were wonderfully blessed with 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. A wake will be scheduled over the coming months, at which time both Bill and Julia's ashes will be scattered in their most revered space, New Mexico. Further details of this life celebration will be provided through Smith and Kernke over the coming weeks. In lieu of flowers, Bill would appreciate any contributions be sent to The Oklahoma City Ballet or to the Alzheimer's Association, 6601 Broadway Ext., Suite 120 Oklahoma City, OK 73116.