William Douglass Drumb

William Douglass (Doug) Drumb, 88, of Bartlesville, Oklahoma passed away peacefully in the presence of his family Saturday morning, March 15, 2025 at the Journey Home Hospice in Bartlesville.

Doug was born on May 11, 1936 in McAlester, Oklahoma to William Andrew Drumb and Thelma Mozelle (Douglass) Drumb. Doug grew up in his father’s garage in McAlester’s “North Town” and loved working with his hands. Doug’s father Bill was the owner of Drumb’s Garage and was known as the best Chevy mechanic in McAlester. Doug inherited his father’s talents and was a gifted mechanic himself.

Doug graduated from McAlester High School in 1954. On January 10, 1956, Doug enlisted in the United States Air Force. He completed his Air Force basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

After basic training, Doug entered the Air Force technical training program and completed multiple courses to become an Aircraft Electrical Repairman at Chanute Air Force Base, Illinois and Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado. Doug then completed Air Force Advanced Survival Training at Stead Air Force Base, Nevada. From there, Doug was assigned to the 11th Bombardment Wing, Heavy in the Strategic Air Command (SAC).

In the Strategic Air Command, Doug served as an electrician and waist-gunner on a Convair B-36 “Peacemaker.” The Peacemaker used 6 radial piston engines and 4 jet engines, is the largest piston-engine aircraft ever built, and was the primary nuclear weapons delivery vehicle of Strategic Air Command until it was later replaced by the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress.

As a member of the 11th Bombardment Wing, Heavy, Doug’s unit received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award on January 3, 1958. On January 20, 1959, Doug was awarded the Department of the Air Force Good Conduct Medal. On September 16, 1959, Doug was released from active duty military service after serving the full term of his enlistment with an Honorable Discharge.

Once he had separated from the Air Force, Doug attended cosmetology school in El Paso, Texas. On February 14, 1960, Doug married his High School sweetheart and the love of his life Shirley Jean Coulter. Doug and Shirley were married for over 65 wonderful years and have two children: Mark and Cole.

Doug worked as a hairdresser for over 50 years and was the owner and operator of Doug’s Hair Fashions at 1808 Hillcrest Drive in Bartlesville from July 27, 1974 to May 20, 2011. Doug won numerous awards as a hairdresser throughout his career and was a member of the “Thunderbirds,” a prestigious state hair fashion committee organization of qualifying hairdressers and salon owners. Doug retired from hairdressing at the age of 75.

After retiring, Doug continued to do what he loved most: tinker in the garage. Doug was a master mechanic, woodworker and repairman. He loved working with his hands,

whether he was repairing his house, doing yard work, repairing appliances, doing masonry work, electric repairs, welding, plumbing, or working on his two son’s Camaros.

But most importantly, Doug was a Christian, an honest man with a magnificent sense of humor who loved his country, a loving husband to his wife of 65 years, a wonderful father to his two sons, and a role model and friend to anyone who knew him.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents Bill and Thelma Drumb, and his sister Alice Robinson.

Survivors include his wife Shirley Drumb of Bartlesville, his brother Donald Drumb and his wife Sunnie of Norman, his brother-in-law John A. Robinson (SMSgt, ret.) of Claremore, and his two sons, Mark Drumb of Bartlesville and Cole Drumb of Seattle.

Funeral services will be held at 2 PM on Tuesday, June 3rd at the Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home, with Chaplin Lonnie Schutz officiating and musical accompaniment by soloist Ms. Ashley Elmore. A graveside service will be held afterwards at Bartlesville’s Memorial Park Cemetery, followed by a reception at the St. John Before the Latin Gate Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to be made to The Journey Home, 900 N.E. Washington Blvd, Bartlesville, OK 74006; telephone: (918) 876-4184.

Arrangements are under the direction of Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home. To leave online condolences, visit www.honoringmemoriesbartlesville.com.