John Billy Hocutt

John Billy Hocutt, age 97 life-long resident of Broken Arrow went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, August 13, 2021 at his residence surrounded by his loving family.    Bill was born on October 21, 1923 in West Plains, Missouri.  He was the son of Oadus P. and Ida (Conner) Hocutt.  Bill grew up and attended High School in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.  He also went three years to the Haskell Agricultural College in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Bill married the love of his life, Verlie Alice Kelley on March 14, 1942.   They were married for 76 years.  He proudly served in the United States Armed Forces during World War II.  Bill went ashore on Omaha Beach portion of Normandy Beach on D-Day + 1 on June 7, 1944.  He was in heavy combat for 54 days before being wounded.  Bill spent 10 months in hospitals, most of it in England. In 1990, he published a book “A Hocutt History Including World War II: The Battle of the Hedgerows.”

After his service to his Country, he was a Certified Code Inspector for Pressure Vessels, Steam Generation Equipment, and Nuclear Power Equipment.  He inspected parts in the Arkansas Nuclear One Power Plant in Russellville, Arkansas.  Bill retired from Kentube on August 15, 1984. He worshiped his Lord and Savior at Clearview Baptist Church in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

Bill is survived by one son, Billy G. Hocutt; two daughters, Linda (Hocutt) and her husband Gary Martin, and Carol (Hocutt) and her husband Lynn Bertling; six grandchildren, Cheri (Hocutt) and her husband Patrick Gotcher, Ronnie Martin, Rhonda (Martin) and her husband Thomas Masengale, April (Rowe) and her husband Brad Ramsey, Kristopher and Mendy (Hist) Rowe, Mandy (Bertling) and her husband Adam Dye; 18 great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; one brother-in-law, Ray Mish; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Verlie Alice (Kelley) Hocutt; his parents, Oadus and Ida Hocutt; one brother, Paul Hocutt; three sisters, Thelma (Ralph) Harris, Catherine (and Preston) Selby, and Betty Mish; a beloved daughter-in-law, Patricia (Stringer) Hocutt; and one great grandson, Jonathon Martin.

The family would like to thank Dan Dan and MeMe’s wonderful, dedicated caregivers; Judy Hayter, Marsha Foster, Dwain Denton, and Betty Chalakee.

Funeral services celebrating Bill’s life will be at 1:00 pm at Brown Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Park Grove Cemetery in Broken Arrow, OK.

Pallbearers are Kristopher Rowe, Adam Dye, Patrick Gotcher, Jordan Gotcher, Christian Gotcher, and Dwain Denton.

Family and friends may share memories online at www.brownfamilycares.com.  The family of John Billy Hocutt entrusted his care and services to Brown Funeral Home & Cremations, 210 S. Broadway, Coweta, OK 74429, 918-486-5515.