William Joseph “Jody” Retherford Jr. a resident of Perkins/Stillwater passed away on Saturday evening at his home in Stillwater at the age of 73. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday at Parkland Cemetery, Parkland, Oklahoma. Arrangements are entrusted to Palmer Marler Funeral Home, Cushing.
Jody was born on October 22, 1941 in Tulare, California to the late William Joseph Retherford Sr.and Wilma (Blake) Retherford. He grew up in California living in many different areas. Jody was baptized into the General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn in 1962 by Brother Levi Jackson. He served in the U.S. Army for six years. Jody married Sheryl Retherford on December 22, 1964 in Delta, Colorado to this union Jeannie, Bobby, Kellie, Carl and Joe were born. They lived in Sacramento, then Olathe, Colorado where he worked as a saw filer for saw mills. Jody was a well-known saw filer, many sent their blades to be filed from all over. They moved to Redding, California for a few years before moving to Perkins in 2005.
He led by example, showing his sons how to treat their wives. Jody enjoyed woodworking, playing solitaire, singing at weddings and funerals, and recording Southern Gospel music. He was a member of the General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn in Yale. After the death of his wife in 2014, he married Sue Crowley on August 29, 2015 in Perkins. They had but only a few months to be together.
Jody is survived by his wife Sue of the home, children Jeannie Carner and husband Tim of Tryon, Bobby Ray Retherford and wife Mary of Grand Junction, Co., Kellie Bellew and son-in-law Gary of Perkins, Carl Retherford and wife Teshea of Tulsa, Joe Retherford and wife Frankie of Perkins, brothers David Retherford of Henryetta, Larry Retherford of Tahlequah, grandchildren Teresa Carner, Dale Carner, Brad Carner, Dean Carner, Josh Carner, Daniel Carner, Katy Carner, Gabriel Retherford, Amanda Retherford, Elijah Retherford, Jessie Bellew, Stephen Bellew, Samual Bellew, Grace Bellew, Angelica Retherford, Alora Retherford, Brittny Retherford, Koal Retherford, Jessa Retherford, Alina Retherford, numerous great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Sheryl Retherford, brothers Ronnie Retherford and Carl Retherford.
Condolences and online guestbook are available at www.palmermarlerfh.com.
