Obituary of Billy Ray Harkins, Sr.

Billy Ray Harkins, Sr., age 95, passed away on January 8, 2024, in Ardmore, Okla. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, on January 11, 2024, in The Chapel at Griffin~Hillcrest Funeral Home, Ardmore, Okla. Services will conclude in the chapel. Bill was born on May 17, 1928, at Ringling, Okla., to William Edward “W.E.” Harkins and Margaret Elizabeth (Higdon) Harkins. Bill met the love of his life, Miss Margie Sue Alexander, in 1944 at the Skating Rink in Ardmore. The couple married on July 3, 1949, in Gainesville, Texas. Bill was proud to have served his country in the Korean War as a member of the 45th Infantry Division. He had been a long term member of Calvary Baptist Church in Ardmore. He later joined the Lone Grove Baptist Church and then attended services at the VA Center, which were provided by the Northwest Baptist Church. He was a devout Christian who always put God first. He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Margie Sue Harkins. Bill is survived by his children: daughter, Donna Arterberry, son, Billy Harkins, and wife, Pam, son, Jimmy Harkins, and wife, Susan; grandchildren: Melissa Watson and husband, Jose, Shawn Harkins and wife, Lori, Michelle McGuire and husband, Alan, Jeremy Harkins and wife, April, and Jaren Arterberry and wife, Mimi; great-grandchildren: Kaylie Harkins, Cade Harkins, Kasson Harkins, Kaitlyn Pollard, Sarah McGuire, Jacob McGuire, and Olivia McGuire, Caleb Watson and Noah Watson, Bryson Arterberry, and Brody Arterberry; great-great granddaughter, Violet McMillian. The family would like to sincerely thank the doctors, nurses and entire staff of the Veterans Center and Good Shepard Hospice for providing such compassionate loving care. Condolences may be left at www.griffinhillcrest.com.