Billy "Gene" Casebolt

Billy “Gene” Casebolt of Grove, went to be with his Lord and Saviour on February 25, 2026. He was 91 years old. Gene was born on January 5, 1935, in Haskell, Oklahoma, the third of four sons born to Vernon and Luella (Jenkins) Casebolt. Gene began working for his brother on a pipeline job, as a welder helper when he was 15 years old, and soon broke out welding, working as a pipeline welder all of his life for H.C. Price Co., quite a lot in the Gulf on lay barges, in most of the lower 48 states, and in Canada. As a member of the UA Local #798 out of Tulsa and UA Local #375 out of Fairbanks, AK. He went to Alaska in 1975 to work on the Trans Alaska Pipeline, worked up and down the mainline, and in Prudhoe Bay and Barrow. He met his future wife, Barbara Rodrock there. They were married in the First Baptist Church in Fairbanks, AK on December 16, 1976. They lived in Alaksa for about 13 years, returning to Oklahoma in 1988 when Gene retired at the age of 53. They built their home south of Grove on the Honey Creek arm of Grand Lake, where they lived for 25 years. They enjoyed fishing and water skiing, traveling in their RV, spending the winter months in Florida, Arizona, but mostly in South Texas, where they eventually bought a park model in the RV park they had been going to for several years, and sold their motor home. They moved into Grove in 2013. Gene enjoyed working and did lot of the work on their place on the lake. He also enjoyed music, especially the bass guitar and participated in the jam sessions in south Texas.

Gene was a Christian, having accepted Jesus as his Lord and Saviour when he was 12 years old. He was a member of Zena Baptist Church. He was a member of UA Local 798 in Tulsa and UA Local 375 in Fairbank, AK.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Vernon Jr., Clarence, and Carl, his son Chris, infant son, Randy Gene and one granddaughter Stesha Boldissar. He is survived by his wife Barbara of the home. Also surviving is his daughter Sheila and husband Mid Fortney, a grandson Conor McKee and his wife Angel all of Phoenix, AZ, granddaughter Sarah and husband John Phelan of Collinsville, OK. Also, great grandchildren, Johnny Phelan III “Trip”, Oz and Arizona McKee, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 1-3 PM, Monday, March 2, 2026, at Worley-Luginbuel Funeral Home. Gene will be laid to rest in Olympus North Cemetery in Grove, Oklahoma.