Billy Wayne (Bill) Cummins, age 88, peacefully passed away March 1, 2019 surrounded by family at the Lawton Veterans Center. Bill was born in Gould, Oklahoma on May 9, 1930 to his parents, Dick and Minnie Cummins. He grew up in Hollis, Oklahoma graduating from Hollis High School in 1948 where he excelled in all sports, especially football and basketball. Bill attended Cameron College for two years, playing basketball and participating on the rodeo team. He then attended the University of Oklahoma, where he was a Letterman on the Sooners basketball team, freshman coach and graduated in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. Bill married Thel Seale, on October 24, 1953 in Lawton, Oklahoma. He served his country for two years in the United States Army achieving the rank of Lieutenant before receiving an honorable discharge in 1955. Bill then returned to Hollis, where he raised his family, while working as a farmer and rancher, Hollis High School teacher, boys' basketball and football coach, girls' basketball coach, Junior High Principal and Superintendent of Hollis Public Schools. He was active in many church and civic activities in Hollis and served on the Board of Regents at WOSC and the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association Board. Bill was especially honored to have been inducted into the Harmon County Sports Hall of Fame. He was a longtime member of the Hollis First United Methodist Church.

Bill lived life to the fullest and his passion was his family...immediate, extended and those he considered family. Bill was the most entertaining and loving PawPaw to his adoring grandchildren. His kindness, infectious sense of humor and work ethic were qualities that came naturally to him. Bill’s influence on countless people who he coached, mentored and encouraged during their youth is not easy to measure, but for those who experienced it first-hand, will never be forgotten.

Bill is survived by his wife Thel Cummins of Elgin, Oklahoma; his son Brent and wife Susie of Hollis, Oklahoma; his son Craig and wife Karen of Caballo, New Mexico; his son Jeff and wife Carolyn of Norman, Oklahoma; his son Kip and wife Lori of Elgin, Oklahoma; thirteen grandchildren, BJ (Destiny) Cummins, Kadi (Shawn) Parker, Carissa (Jon) Stiles, Caley (Tim) Nawrocki, Logan Cummins, Connor Cummins, Riley (Annabelle) Cummins, Claire (Caleb) Van Horn; and Zoe, Hannah, Eliza, Gabby and Izzy Cummins; and nine great-grandchildren, Cooper, Cara, Crew, Matt, Jake, Eva, Violet, Ivy Jae and Chapman.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Shirley Tankersley.

At Bill's request, there will be a private gathering of family and friends on March 4, 2019 for a celebration of his life.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Association or to Hollis First United Methodist Church.

Arrangements are under the direction of Harmon County Funeral Home, Hollis, Oklahoma.

To sign the online guest book and share memories with the family please visit www.HarmonCountyFuneral.com