Bill was born on September 13, 1927, in Mulberry, Arkansas, the son of Isom S. and Lourina (Creekmore) Neal. He came with his family at an early age to McIntosh County from Arkansas. He attended Eufaula High School. In 1945, Bill joined the Army in Ft. Smith and served in World War II. On June 19, 1948, Bill married Katharina Muller in Kitzinger, Germany. He and his wife returned to Eufaula to live until he was enlisted into the Korean Conflict. Bill was honorably discharged in 1952. Bill and his wife lived in South Dakota and later Wichita while he was working for Boeing Aircraft. In 1953 they relocated to Eufaula where he began working as an auto mechanic for several garages and dealerships. Bill then established his own auto mechanic business. After he retired as a mechanic, Bill became a Bowes Auto Parts Sales Representative. He was a member of the Eufaula Church of Christ. Survivors include: his wife, Kathe Neal, of the home; his sons, Billy Ray Neal and wife Barbara of Eufaula and Glen Robert Neal and wife Kathy also of Eufaula; his daughter, Catherine Luke and husband Ronnie of Checotah; his brother, Ross Neal and wife Wanda of Eufaula; his sisters, Betty Curran of Checotah, Anna Hampton of Eufaula and Pauline Alexander and husband Glynn of Jay; eleven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Arlon Don Neal. Funeral services were held 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 19, 2009, at the Eufaula Church of Christ with Charlie Bailey officiating. Pallbearers were Jeremy Neal, Jared Neal, Jonathan Neal, Chase Luke, Kermit Buck and Johnny Wood. Honorary pallbearers were Walter McDonald, Merle Speer and Dutch Henderson. Burial followed at the Green Lawn Cemetery of Checotah. Services were under the direction of Hunn, Black & Merritt Funeral Home & Crematory.

Published in Lake Eufaula News