WILLIAM HALE

Sr., M.D.Nov 20, 1938 - May 16, 2013 EDMOND Dr. William J Hale Sr. was born to Ival and Gertha Hale in Oklahoma City November 20, 1938. With his family by his side, he left this world to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on May 16, 2013. Dr. Hale grew up in Harrah, Oklahoma, and graduated from Harrah High School in 1955. He attended Central State University in Edmond and went on to receive his medical degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1963. While at OU, he met his future wife and love of his life, Sandra Martin. They were married in 1961. After medical school, he did his internship at Charity Hospital in New Orleans. After his internship, he served time in the Coast Guard and in the Public Health Service. He was assigned to the Navajo Indian Reservation in Fort Defiance, Arizona. His time with the Navajos made memories that he shared throughout his life. He returned to Oklahoma City in 1966 and began his career as a family practitioner. His career as a physician was defined by love and compassion for others. He truly had a servant's heart. He frequently said, "I don't have patients, I have friends." In 1974, he started the Baptist Family Health Care Center in the Packing Town district of Oklahoma City, where he and Sandy worked serving the underprivileged throughout their lives. His service to others did not go unrecognized. He was named Doctor of the Year for the state of Oklahoma in 1980. He received a National Seratoma Service to Mankind award the same year. In 1981, he was honored by KOCO 5 as one of the first 5 Who Care awardees. In 1990, he and Sandy were the first to receive the prestigious Points of Light award from President George H.W. Bush. He was also devoted to his church and served as a deacon at Witcher Baptist for over 30 years. He served on the Oakdale school board for 15 years. He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Sandy; and granddaughter, Halee. He is survived by his brother, Ival and his wife Norma, of Harrah; daughter, Christi Cline and her husband Scott, of Edmond, OK; son, William Hale, II and his wife Sherri, of Oklahoma City; daughter, Shelley Trulock and her husband Mike, of Mansfield, TX; son, Michael Hale and his wife Sheila, of Wichita, KS; grandchildren, Brian Cline, Justin Cline, Hannah Hale, Will Hale, Nicholas Hale, Tanner Cline, Tyler Trulock, Trace Trulock and Ellie Anna Hale; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and a host of family and friends. Dr. Hale will be remembered as a loving husband, father, papaw, and friend and will be deeply missed. The family would like to express their gratitude to staff of AMG in Edmond for the exemplary love and care they gave Dr. Hale during his hospitalization there. Funeral service will be Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at 10 a.m. at Oakdale Baptist Church, with burial at Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation is Monday, May 20, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Oakdale Baptist - Living Stone Campaign, Oakdale Baptist Church, 10920 N Sooner Rd, Edmond, OK 73013.