In Loving Memory of Bill Harden

Billie (Bill) Junior Harden, 84, of Red Oak, Oklahoma left this world for his heavenly home on Tuesday, June 6, 2023.

Visitation will be from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Waldrop Funeral Home Chapel.

The funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June10, 2023 at United Free Will Baptist Church in Red Oak with Rev. Johnny Montgomery officiating. The burial will follow at Red Oak Cemetery under the direction of Waldrop Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Rhys Sumpter, Mason Sumpter, Logan Harden, Danny Foster Jr, Brody Harden, and Syler Davis.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Chris Harden, Steven Harden, Jesse Thomas, and Lonnie Taylor.

Bill was born on May 18, 1939 in Hartshorne, Oklahoma to Bill and Zella (Terry) Harden. He grew up in Wilburton, Oklahoma and in California. Bill met and married Julia (Clough) in 1958. They had 5 children, 11 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.

Bill was a member of the United Free Will Baptist Church where he served as a deacon for 43 years. His work included construction, cotton and fruit picking, and driving the trash truck. He was also a profound coon hunter. He was often heard saying phrases such as “things were too far and snakey”, “that he was fixing to hit you with a boot”, and “to shake a leg”. Bill will be missed by all, but we can only imagine how he’s up in heaven coon hunting with Gilbert and Red and sitting in his easy chair with Ricky.

Bill is survived by his wife and loving caretaker: Julie of the home; daughters: Brenda Bolin and Jerry Green, Joan and Dallas Dye, and Michelle and Kevin Davis; son: William Harden; grandchildren: Chris and Jennifer Harden, Danny and Shannon Foster, Kassie and Arron Sumpter, Katie Foster and Devin Wylie, Sarah Bolin, Brittany and Micah Billingsly, Jordan Davis, Brody Harden, Abby Harden, Breanna Harden, and Syler Davis; great grandchildren: Haylee, Logan, Kelsie, Mason, Rhys, Taytum, Teagan, Reed, Annaleigh, Aubreigh, Draymond, Sumeria, and Jett; along with multiple other family members and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents: Bill and Zella Harden; brothers: Charles Harden and Clarence (Chief) Harden; sister: Novella Ballew; daughter: Sandy Harden; and his brother in Christ: Poncho Newburn.