William Coley

William Dave Coley, 73 year-old, lifelong Seminole resident was brought into this life July 20, 1938 by parents Ina ( Harjoche ) Coley and Sam Houston Coley in Quinton Oklahoma. He was raised North of Wewoka and attended Sams Elementary and graduated from Butner School in 1959. William answered the "Call of Duty" and enlisted in the United States Navy. William became an aviations electrician for the VF-111, " Sun Downers" squadron during the J.F.K.'s "Cuban Missile Crisis". He proudly served on the Super Carrier U.S.S. Kitty Hawk and sailed around the World. After an Honorable Discharge in 1965, William put his newly attained skills to work at Boeing and Tinker Air Force Base.   William earned his Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts from East Central University in Ada. He soon went to work for the Bureau of Indian Affairs as a caseworker helping the needy with assistance and other urgencies. After receiving a back injury at Commercial Brick, William was left disabled in the early 80's. Struggling on so little, William survived by selling terrapins, garage selling, and performing odd jobs. Williams sense of duty to help others and especially help his people of The Seminole Nation rekindled in the mid-90's. William was elected to represent his band, Tom Palmer and serve his people as they directed.He made a vie for assistant chief but fell short in the " Old Spirits Can Vote by Absentee " debacle. This did not deter him from serving his people as he was appointed to many committees from former Chiefs to present. William kept up his 'poli-tican' until the end.   William was a wheeler and dealer some people said that he sold a local tribe a great luxurious mansion that was built from their ancestors oil royalties signed over to a Doc due to a language and literacy barrier.  William and his son Eric opened a second hand antique store on Main Street and stayed open for two years during the early nineties. William loved to fish and camp with his ol' buddy Nathan Blanton underneath the Bearden Bridge or anywhere else he could wet his line. He would tinker on small motors all day to get his merchandise ready for market or to get his nieces, nephews, or son, back on their " hogs ".   William also loved his pets dearly. Often you would see his dogs eating a meal that was better than his visitors ate all day. William loved the outdoors so much; he would have the crew move his entire bed under the stars every summer. Dad loved his History and A&E channels. On his usual Sunday it was a dose of Old Country Gospel on his porch followed by Nascar with Jeff Gordon being his favorite driver. Then he would hope to finish the day off with the Dallas Cowboys losing. William was Saved and then Baptized by the Late George Jesse of Spring Baptist Church. William knew his bible forwards and backwards. He never backed down from a good argument about the scriptures.   William was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Herb Coley and Richard Coley, Sister Patricia Robertson and an infant sister Francis. William will be waiting for the arrival of, and welcome his brothers, Jack Coley, John Coley, and Monty Coley. Sister Marilyn Hodge. Only son, Eric Coley. Daughters Tina McDowell, Amy Harrison, and Tawny Lena. His hardworking niece Belinda Coley and Daughter Cameron. Special Friends Rosetta, Lina, and Sister-In-Law Frankie Coley. Two Grandchildren, Daniel and Trey Sanders. Plus, Baby Coley due in January. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Too many to remember and name, but you know who you are.    Dad, You will be greatly missed by all whom you have touch with your knowledge, kind generosity, and love. Your big heart keeps on giving even after death.You will never be forgotten unless there is no one left to remember. We will see you at those pearly gates someday, and when we all do get to heaven, we will jump and shout for " Victory " !!!!!!   A wake service will be held Wednesday evening, July 18, 2012 at Swearingen Funeral Home In Seminole, Oklahoma from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.   Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m., Thursday, July 19, 2012 at Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel in Seminole with Military Honors.  Leon “Chippy” Postoak will officiate the service.  Interment will follow at the New Coley Family Cemetery.   Casket Bearers will be: Monty Coley, Thomas Cunningham, Sterling Cully, Colton Coley, Dale Stewart and Brent Hopper.   Honorary Bearers will be: Stanley Andrews, Tommy Martin, Jimmy Taylor, Rodney Factor, Daniel Sanders, Trey Sanders, Claude Davis, Terry Griffith and Kenneth Chambers.   Services are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma. Funeral Information: July 19, 2012, 10:30 AM Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel - Seminole located at 1001 N. Milt Phillips Ave., Seminole, OK 74868