William Earl McBride, Jr.

Catholic Mass services for William Earl McBride, Jr., 81, of Tulsa, OK, were held Saturday, July 1, 2023, at the Church of The Resurrection in Tulsa, OK. Father Michael Knipe and Deacon James Scarpitti officiated, and burial was in Rest Haven Cemetery in Sperry, OK. 

Bill was born on September 20, 1941, to William Earl McBride, Sr. & Leona Gertrude “Dolly" (Boyer) McBride  at St. John’s Medical Center in Tulsa, OK.  He passed away on Sunday, June 11, 2023, in Tulsa, OK.

Bill attended and graduated from Thomas A. Edison High School, class of 1959. After graduation, he attended OSU Okmulgee and graduated in 1962 with a degree in engineering. 
He spent 40 years working as a research design engineer.  Bill worked for McDonnell Douglas, Lowrance Electronics, Mid-Continent Industry, Frank W. Murphy, and retired from APSCO.  Bill also holds four patents he designed for various projects throughout his career. Bill loved to fish as a boy and throughout his adult life.  For over 20 plus years, he would take his family to Beaver Lake in Arkansas for vacation and fishing.  Bill loved to travel, and his work took him all over the United States, England, and Australia.  When his daughter, Theresa was called to adopt a child, which led her to Russia, Bill joined her on the two-trip adventure to bring his grandson home.

He is survived by his son, William Christopher McBride, and wife, Celeste; daughter, Theresa Marie McBride; grandson, William Alexandr McBride; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, of 57 and a half years, Johnnie (Lewallen) McBride; daughter, Christy Ann McBride; mother, Leona “Dolly” McBride; father, William Earl McBride, Sr.; and his beloved dog, Sugar.

Arrangements and services were entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home, Sperry.

Online condolences to the family can be made at johnsonsperry.com.