William Frank Kendall, 68, of Sapulpa, passed peacefully at home on August 17, 2020, in the care of his loving step-daughter Melinda Russell, after a courageous battle against cancer, just one day short of his 69th birthday.
The only son of Katherine Virginia and William Curtis Kendall, and the brother of Kathryn Ann McGuire, Bill was born on August 18, 1951 in Sapulpa, OK, where he resided his entire life, attending Woodlawn Elementary, Sapulpa Jr. High, and graduating from Sapulpa High School in 1969. Four days after graduation, Bill would join the U.S. Navy. A loyal patriot and proud American, Bill considered his service on the battleship Midway, from 1969-1971, the greatest honor of his life.
Bill is survived by his daughter Deborah Kendall of Sand Springs, his grandson Bennie Adams of Sand Springs, his step-daughters Melinda Russell and Susan Russell, both of Sapulpa, his sister-in-law Lottie Diane Longan and her husband Randy of Miami, brother-in-law Dr. George Henson of Monterey, CA., and brother-in-law Larry Henson of Arley, AL, as well as dozens of family members, in Oklahoma and Alabama, friends, and church family at The Well of Spirit and Truth church, where one of his greatest joys was playing the bass guitar.
Bill was proud to call himself a “trucker,” having devoted 47 years of his life to that industry, as driver, dispatcher, operations manager, and safety director, at companies such as Red Ball, Interstate Express, and Link America, among others. A lover of the out-of-doors, Bill was a lifelong hunter and fisherman, and cherished traveling this great country with his family, whether to see the Grand Canyon, whale-watch in California, visit family in Alabama, enjoying alligator tours and Cajun cuisine in New Orleans, or to hear his favorite performers in Branson, Missouri.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife Gwendolyn Marie Henson Kendall of 28 years, his son William Clinton Kendall, his stepson Gary Clifford Russell, his parents Katherine and Curtis Kendall, and his sister Kathy.
A loving husband, father, and brother, Bill will be remembered for his generous heart, always happy to mow a friend’s or neighbor’s lawn, work on their car, or fix whatever was broken. Although we mourn his loss, we rejoice that he was greeted by his Lord and Savior and the loved ones who preceded him.
Bill learned from his parents the values of hard work and commitment to family, which he displayed every day of his life. Never one to give up, he labored against his illness until he drew his final breath.
