Billy Joe Enlow entered his eternal home on Saturday, December 2021 in Tulsa.
Billy Joe Enlow was born to Ora Whitehouse Enlow and Rual Enlow in Sapulpa, OK on January 10, 1934. He was welcomed by brother Leo Millard, Webster Leroy (Cubby) and sister Velma Katheryn (Kathy). A few years later Mildred Annette (Millie) and Delmar Rual (Dub) joined the Enlow family.
He attended school at Washington in Sapulpa.
He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army.
Bill and Velma Mae Presley were married December 26, 1952 and shared 56 years until her death in 2009. Their children are Bobby, Joyce and Linda.
The quotation “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life” certainly applied to Bill. His interest and employment revolved around auctioneering, tractor auctions, auto auctions, car sales and horse racing.
In 1965 Bill started Enlow Auction Co., the first tractor auction in Tulsa. He moved the business in 1971 and continued the tractor auction and started weekly automobile auctions. In 1991 the property of Enlow Auction Co. was sold for the new location of Wal-mart at Taft and Wickham Road.
The members of the Church of God of Prophecy worked the concession at the auctions and contributed to the building fund for the new church now located off Highway 117
From a newspaper article in Community World, June 16, 1999, it states “Bill has owned more than 20 racing horses.” He owned and raced horses until 2010. He continued watching either at the track or on TV. His nephew, Ray Enlow often brought Bill a schedule so he could watch Ray’s horses. Bill made many friends during his years at the racetrack.
Bill Enlow was a well-known car salesman. He enjoyed attending the car auctions and purchasing autos he would be proud to sell. He always wanted his cars to look the best. His last sales job was Right Price Sales car lot at the corner of Main and Lee streets. He was still driving to the car lot and making sales this summer at the age of 87 years.
Bill enjoyed gospel music and visited area churches when there was a singing.
In May 2010, Bill renewed his friendship with Phyllis Watkins Langford at a Kellyville school reunion. The Enlow and Watkins families had lived in the same community south of Sapulpa. As young teens, Phyllis and Bill often attended the same gatherings or activities. He enjoyed telling the story of Phyllis being his girlfriend when they were thirteen. On August 7, 2010 Bill & Phyllis married and enjoyed eleven years of marriage before his death. Bill & Phyllis attended Praise Fellowship until his health limited his attendance.
Bill enjoyed entertaining anyone who would listen to his stories. Many times, it was hard to decide if his story was fact or a tall tale. He liked to make people laugh.
Bill was preceded in death by his first wife, Mae Enlow, parents Rual and Ora Enlow, grandson Matthias Enlow, brothers Leo and Cubby Enlow, sister Millie Smith, and son-in-law Butch House, and brother-in-law Corky Smith.
Bill is survived by his wife, Phyllis, his children, son Bob and wife Pat Enlow of Broken Arrow, daughter Linda and husband Andy Cravens of Mannford, and daughter Joyce House of Sapulpa. Survivors also include Aunt Ruby Whitehouse Smith, brother Dub and wife Jane Enlow of Sapulpa, and sister Kathy Sublett of Vancouver, WA. His grandchildren are Stacey, Callie, Melissa, B.J., Joey and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by Phyllis’s daughter, April Langford Morris and her sons Chris, Nick, Jonathan and their families, Rick Davidson’s family and Debbie Davidson Morris’s family.
Visitation will be held at Smith Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 from 6-8 p.m. His service will be Thursday, December 9, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at South Heights Assembly located on Wickham Road. Services are under the direction of Smith Funeral Home.
