William Abney

Aug 26, 1923 - Feb 21, 2012 OKLAHOMA CITY William C. Abney, Sr., 88, died peacefully on February 21, 2012, after a brief illness. William was born on August 26, 1923, in Oklahoma City to Louis D. Abney, Sr. and wife Ruth. He graduated from Classen High School and began his studies at the University of Oklahoma. Soon after World War II began, he left college and enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he was assigned to the 71st Infantry Division and sent to Europe. He served as an artillery forward observer until the end of the war. When he returned to Norman, he obtained his degree in accounting. Before graduating from O.U., he married Jean Lowry and to that union were born Bill, Hayden, and Liz. He became a Certified Public Accountant but when the Korean War began, he was called back into the Army and stationed at Fort Sill. When that war ended, he began working as an auditor, eventually joining the accounting firm of Arthur Anderson. On July 1, 1965, he was selected City Auditor for The City of Oklahoma City, where he worked until he retired on March 6, 1986. After the death of his first wife, Jean, he met and married Patricia Hall Carver, and on February 19, 2012, they celebrated 28 years of blissful marriage. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Louis Abney, Jr.; first wife, Jean; and daughter, Hayden Haller. He leaves to mourn: his wife, Patricia; son, Bill Abney; daughter, Liz Abney Heitzman and her husband Jeff; stepdaughter, Lisa Sponseller; stepson, Andrew Carver and his wife Vicki; grandchildren, Aryn Priest, Shelley Sponseller, Josh Sponseller, Lauren M. Carver, and John Carver. William was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity and belonged to Westminster Presbyterian Church. You won't find his name in the Guinness Book of World Records, but you should because he was the world's most thoughtful man. He loved to play bridge, he loved to cook, he was funny, and he had many friends. He will be missed every day. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, February 28, 2012, at Westminster Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, contribution may be made to the American Cancer Society, Westminster Presbyterian Church Music Ministry, and Good Shepherd Hospice.