William Robert 'The Honorable William R. Saied

Judge William Robert ("Bill") Saied fell asleep to his heavenly father, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his loved ones. He was born in Ranger, Texas, on May 9, 1921. In 1940, he graduated from Classen High School in Oklahoma City. Two years later, Bill joined the rest of the "Greatest Generation" and enlisted in the Army Air Corps. During World War II, he served in the intelligence service in the South Pacific, New Guinea, Biak (Shouten Island Group), Philippines, and Okinawa, Japan. On Oct. 14, 1948, Bill met his sweetheart and love of his life, Marjory Tayar, on a hot chocolate date, which they annually celebrated. On Nov. 28, 1948, Bill and Marge secretly eloped in Decatur, Texas. The "first marriage" was kept secret for 55 years. On March 20, 1949, Bill and Marge officially married in Healdton, Okla. In 1949, Bill graduated from the University Of Oklahoma College Of Law. Bill was elected Jackson County Attorney in Altus, Okla., represented the State Insurance Fund, and served as an Assistant Oklahoma County Attorney. From 1960 until 1976, Bill was known as a "lawyer's lawyer" whose word was made good on a handshake. On March 29, 1976, Bill was given the Oath of Office after being appointed by Gov. David Boren to serve as an Oklahoma County District Court Judge. Judge Saied was elected president of the Oklahoma Judicial Conference, served as Presiding Judge of the 7th Judicial District, and served as a faculty advisor and professor at the National Judicial College. He also taught at the American Academy of Judicial Education and at various judicial seminars throughout the United States. He founded the Big Brothers Big Sisters Club in Oklahoma ("BBBS") and the organization established the Judge William R. Saied Lifetime Achievement Award. He was awarded the Good Citizenship Medal from the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution; Excellence in Community Service Award from the Daughters of the American Revolution; Award from The Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge; and, Meritorious Service Award from the Oklahoma City Police Department. He was a member and president of the North Oklahoma City Rotary Club. As a lover and promoter of education, he taught political science and American History at Oklahoma City University and Oklahoma State University and legal education to the Oklahoma City Police Department. He was well-known and revered as the "Good Judge" whose common sense coupled with his love and knowledge of the law guided his gavel. He was a lifelong member of Crown Heights United Methodist Church where he enjoyed teaching Sunday School. He later became an active member of St. Elijah Orthodox Christian Church. As a lover of literature, he thoroughly enjoyed reading and writing short stories and plays. In retirement, he traveled the world with his wife and friends and spent time with his three children, three sons-in-law and nine grandchildren. Bill was preceded in death by his parents Oscar and Minnie Adwan Saied; his wife, Marge; his brothers, Cecil, Ralph, Jim, Kemal, and his sisters Edna, Bedelia and Nell Saied. He is survived by his sister Edna Mae Saied Killough; daughter Debi Morton and husband Glenn, daughter Nancy Farha and husband, Greg, daughter Becky Manson and husband, Don; grandchildren, Daniel Morton and wife Amanda, Mathew Morton and wife Shannon, David Morton and wife Jennifer, Nicholas Farha and wife Brooke, Patrick Farha, Benjamin Farha, Jeffrey Manson, Mackenzie Manson, and Tyler Manson and seven great grandchildren with one due in December; and countless nieces and nephews. Although Bill was professionally accomplished, the most important thing to him was his love for his family and to be a good and loving husband, father, Ghido and friend as he touched the lives of others in a loving way. Bill will be remembered as a bearer of unconditional love whose optimistic spirit fueled by his faith in God were the backbone of his integrity and selflessness. As Bill always said, "Keep Smiling."