William Barton Core

William Barton "Bill" Core, 83, passed away on Sunday, September 7, 2025, in Tahlequah, Cherokee County, Oklahoma.

Bill was born to A. Lynn Core and Ella Pauline Johnson Core on Sunday, October 19, 1941, in Core, Monongalia County, West Virginia.

As a young boy Bill loved all animals on the farm where he grew up which helped determine his future career. He also loved to read and developed a special interest in history, particularly all things related to the U.S. Civil War, which remained with him over his lifetime. As an eighth grader he received the Golden Horseshoe award for academic excellence in West Virginia history. He graduated from Clay-Battelle High School in Blacksville, West Virginia in 1959.

Bill attended West Virginia University where he completed the Pre-Vet Program in preparation for the highly competitive application process for admittance into a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program. Bill was accepted at both Ohio State University and Oklahoma State University, and he chose Oklahoma State. He graduated with his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1966.

On 18 July 1966 Bill was commissioned into the United States Army Veterinary Corps and completed officer orientation at Medical Field Service School, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. He then went to the USAMEDS Veterinary School in Chicago, Illinois to complete courses for veterinary preventive medicine and food inspection. He received assignment to First US Army Vet Unit, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland with station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the US Customs Building. Bill fulfilled his active duty obligation in July 1968 at the rank of Captain.

Bill met the love of his life, Neoma Poe, during his fourth year of vet school. He and Neoma were married on February 4, 1967, at First Baptist Church in Clayton, Oklahoma. They made their first home in Bristol, Pennsylvania. They relocated to Huntington, West Virginia in 1968 where he established Cabell Veterinary Clinic and practiced for 40 years. Many of his clients described him with two words, "Good Man".

He was licensed to practice veterinary medicine in West Virginia and Oklahoma. During his career Bill was recognized for providing voluntary professional services to the horses of the Huntington, WV Mounted Police Patrol. In June 1988 Bill was commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel in recognition of his accomplishments and outstanding service to the community, state, and nation. This is the highest title of honor bestowed by the state of Kentucky.

In September of 1972, a daughter, Anna Jeanette was born, whom he affectionately nicknamed his "little Jenny". In December of 1973, a son, Andrew Barton was born. Bill was a devoted and loving father. He was always present for their school functions and activities. Throughout his lifetime he instilled much wisdom and many great values in both of his children.

Over his lifetime Bill enjoyed several different hobbies including model trains, woodworking, hand shaping stocks for muzzleloader rifles, shooting sports, fly fishing, and tying his own flies. He also liked working in the yard and gardening.

Bill is survived by Neoma, his loving wife of 58 years; daughter Anna Jeanette "Jenny" and husband Michael Wood, Geronimo, Oklahoma; son Andrew Barton Core and wife Jeannette, Mounds, Oklahoma. He is also survived by many extended family members and special friends, many of whom affectionately call him "Mr. Bill".

Bill is preceded in death by his parents A. Lynn and Ella, and his siblings John Edgar Core, Charles Albert "Buck" Core, Gene Lynn Core, Robert Allen Core, and JoAnn Core Coen.

Bill will be laid to rest in the family cemetery, Doll's Run Cemetery, in Core, West Virginia.