William “Bill” Mc-Donough, was born on April 18, 1944 in Clinton, Oklahoma, and passed away on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 2023, at the Norman Regional Hospital at the age of 79.
Bill was born to Eva McDonough and H.B. McDonough while Bill’s father, H.B., was fighting in World War II in the U.S. Army.
Bill was an excellent swimmer, earning All-State honors as a young man. On weekends, he would “drag main” with his buddies in his 1937 Chevy, chasing girls and trouble.
Bill graduated from Clinton High School in 1962. He spent his summers working on the family farm in Bessie, OK and worked full-time at the Lin Company in Clinton. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves on Oct. 17, 1962 where he proudly served his country for nearly 8 years.
After dating for a short time in high school and later reuniting around the time clock at the Lin Company, Bill married the love of his life and wife of nearly 60 years, Sue McDonough (Heffington), on Aug. 7, 1964.
Shortly after, Bill began working for his father in law at HT Heffington Trucking. In May of 1965, Bill got to drive a truck for the first time, which was “the scariest thing to happen in his life” and was first introduced to another one of his loves roaring diesel engines and the open road. In 1967, Bill bought his first truck – a GMC with no air conditioning and loud exhaust – and went on to work for his father in law for nearly 15 more years. During this time Bill became an expert in the trucking industry, a skill that would serve his family for the rest of his life.
In 1977, he and his friend, Steve Carter started their own company, BS Trucking – named after Bill and Steve – where they ran seven to eight trucks keeping Custer County roads well repaired and maintained as well as many other customers. In 1989, Bill continued his career driving for the Teamsters for another 8 years at various companies, and later for Walmart.
Bill’s last job was working for his favorite son in law, Eric Owens at Metro Ready Mix. He was easily the oldest driver on staff and enjoyed outworking the younger drivers. He got to finish his career driving a Peterbilt, the best truck on the road in his opinion.
Though his time as a rambling man and trucker had ended, Bill held on to his humor and mischief – always lending comic relief and a good laugh. He continued to love old cars (especially Chevys), country music, and his family, which had grown considerably over the years. He had four children, 12 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren.
He is survived by: his wife, Sue Mc-Donough, sister, Linda Teagarden, and brother-in-law, George Roper; his children, Jeff Mc-Donough, Brenda Brown, Billy Mc-Donough, Susan Owens and husband Eric; and his grandchildren, Randi Day, Shandi Coleman, Nicholas McDonough, Aaron Ainsworth and wife Carly, Chelsea Ainsworth, Zoey Culpepper and husband Cory, Jett Woodward, Tyler Woodward and wife Kasey, Mackenzie Hall and husband Delton, Katelyn Owens, Tyler Owens and Kase Owens.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Eva and H.B. Mc-Donough, and sister, Sarah Roper.
Services will be held at McNeil’s Funeral Service on Friday, December 29, 2023, 10:00 am with interment at Newcastle Cemetery.