William Dean Graves

William Dean Graves went to be with his Lord and Savior on April 2, 2025. He dearly loved—and was deeply loved by—his family, who gathered around him as he passed.

Born on October 4, 1937, Billie Dean Graves was a man of many names: Billie, Lieutenant Billie Graves, William Dean Graves (his chosen legal name), Representative Bill Graves, The Honorable Bill Graves, Judge Graves, Atticus, Daddy, Pop, and Grandad.

Bill attended Putnam City Schools in Oklahoma City, graduating in 1956. He was then offered a track scholarship from the University of Oklahoma as a quarter-miler, where he lettered and became a member of the Varsity O Club. Leaving OU in 1962, Bill joined the Oklahoma Army National Guard. His decision to attend law school was influenced by the Supreme Court’s decision to eliminate school prayer. Upon graduating from Oklahoma City University School of Law, he entered private law practice.

In 1978, Bill was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives, where he served with distinction for 24 years. A principled and tireless legislator, he championed causes close to his heart—school prayer, pro-life protections, home education, and lower taxes. Known among his colleagues as “the great amender,” Bill had a remarkable talent for refining legislation. Even when serving in the minority, he found creative ways to advance conservative principles, often through meaningful amendments—much to the exasperation of his political opponents. He served 12 terms before term limits ended his tenure in 2004.

As a legislator, Bill was the top-rated conservative, maintaining a career average of over 99% in the Oklahoma Constitution newspaper’s Conservative Index. In naming Bill a Hero of the Twentieth Century, the newspaper wrote:

“Bill Graves has set the standard by which all other legislators can be judged. No truer friend of the taxpayer exists in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. More than just a conservative vote, Bill Graves has stood up to the forces of liberalism... when many other lawmakers are quaking under their desks. It would be hard to imagine the Oklahoma House, and indeed our state, without him since the late seventies… He is irreplaceable.”

Bill was elected Oklahoma County District Judge in 2006 and re-elected in 2010 and 2014, serving for 12 years. He viewed his judicial role not as making the law—as he had in the legislature—but as interpreting and upholding the law as written, in accordance with the Constitution. Bill firmly subscribed to the prudent jurisprudence of the Framers of the Constitution.

In 1983, he married Connie Chris Martin and became the immediate father of four children—Melissa, Jennifer, Zac, Christen (who passed away at 17 months), and Ben—and later welcomed two more sons, Jon and Tim. Connie had a deep love for children, a love that Bill wholeheartedly shared. He always considered her his greatest supporter and No. 1 cheerleader.

Soon after his marriage to Connie, his children began calling him Atticus (as portrayed in To Kill a Mockingbird)—not just because he was a lawyer, but because of his unwavering convictions, his courage to stand for what was right, his deep sense of fairness, and his quiet, thoughtful nature.

William had a deep love for the Oklahoma Sooners and a lifelong passion for history, often reflected in his detailed drawings of historical figures. He found immense joy in attending his sons’ football, basketball, and baseball games, always offering steady encouragement—whether they won, lost, or had a rough game. Above all, he was a devoted husband who adored his wife, Connie, and fully embraced his role as a loving father and grandfather.

He is survived by his wife, Connie; daughters Melissa Durham (Kyle) and Jennifer Jones (Tim); sons Zac Graves (Kate), Ben Graves (Alyssa), Jon Graves (Courtney), and Tim Graves; and grandchildren Josh (Kayleigh), Zac, and Matt Durham; Garrett, Maggie, and Porter Jones; Ellie, Sarah (Nate Nuthman), Hank, and Sam Graves; Jackson and Madison Graves; and Judge, Monroe, Georgia, and Rory Graves. He is also survived by great-grandchildren Indie and Ryder Durham.

Contributions in Bill's name may be made to the Baptist International Mission, P.O. Box 9, Harrison, TN 37341-0009. Please make checks payable to: BIMI and add Rick Martin Philippines on Memo line.

Link to livestream of Memorial Service: https://vimeo.com/event/5032146/4285a8c5d0