| [From the Woodward News, Woodward, OK, January 10, 2006]
Sheriff Billy E. Cassingham Sheriff Billy E. Cassingham, age 67, died Jan. 6, 2006 at Integris Southwest Medical Center, Oklahoma City, Okla. Billy Edward Cassingham was born Jan. 9 1938 in Lyons, Kan. to Gary and Evadna (Muxlow) Cassingham. Bill graduated from Medford High School Medford, Okla. in 1956. Following his graduation, he attended Northern Oklahoma Junior College and Northwestern State University. He joined the Naval Reserve and served for two years. After being honorably discharged from the service in June of 1961 he began working for the Department of Public Safety in Tulsa, Okla. In 1964 he was accepted and graduated with the 18th OHP Academy. He completed 20 years with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol before retiring in 1984 as a 2nd Lt. Upon his retirement from the patrol, Bill was elected to the office of Beaver County Sheriff, where he served for 21 years and was the longest active sitting Sheriff in the State of Oklahoma at the time of his death. Bill will be remembered for his association with various organizations in his communities and work. He served on the OSA Board of Directors, OSPOA Board of Directors and President, CLEET Board and Chairman of CLEET Board, President of the Northwest Peace Officers Association and President of 5 State Peace Officers Association. He was also one of the charter members of the Pioneer Golf Club that helped to create and improve the local golf course. His Law Enforcement awards include CLEET Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate, OSBI Directors Award for Law Enforcement, Honorary member of Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Association and the Meritorious Service Award from the Oklahoma Sheriff and Peace Officers Association. He also served as a Special Deputy for the U.S. Marshall Service, Western District of Oklahoma. He is survived by wife, Cathy Cassingham, of Forgan, Okla. Sons Gary Cassingham and wife Cindi of Beaver Okla., Mike Cassingham and wife Nikki of Oklahoma City, Oklah., Christopher Desper and wife Stefany of Lawton, Okla., Zachary Jones and wife Natalie of Hydro, Okla., Nathan Jones and fiancée Laura of San Diego, Calif. and Brock Jones of Durant, Okla. He has 10 grandchildren Heather Cassingham, Traci Cassingham, Jesse Cassingham, Sarah Cassingham, Taylor Schwarz, Colton Schwarz, Kennedy Cash, Cody Desper, Bobby Desper and Zachary Jones. One sister Garilyn Ulibarri and husband John of Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was preceded in death by his parents Gary and Evadna Cassingham. Funeral Service will be held at 2: pm Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2006 at the Beaver Fieldhouse Gymnasium Beaver, Okla. with Revs. Darrell Owen, Darrell Hardy and Torrey Curtis presiding. . Burial will be at Pioneer Cemetery Beaver, Okla. with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Honor Guard will do the flag presentation. Calling time will be from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kitch – Brenneman Funeral Home Liberal, Kan. and 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the First Christian Church in Beaver Okla. No viewing will be conducted at the service. In lieu of flowers the family asked that donations be made to the Sheriff Billy E Cassingham Memorial Scholarship Fund in care of First Security Bank of Beaver, Okla. Box 947 Beaver, OK 73932 Condolences may be sent to the family via www.brennemanfuneralhome.com |