William Odell Milam

CHANGE TO SERVICE TIMES: Services will be held on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the Matthews Funeral Home Chapel in Edmond, OK. Interment is to be held at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at Rose Hill Burial Park in Oklahoma City, OK.

William "Bill" Odell Milam passed away on January 18, 2026, at the VA Home in Norman, Oklahoma. He had dealt with several years of dementia. He was born April 24, 1930, to W.J. Milam and Florence O (Baker) Milam in Horatio, Arkansas.

William's father passed away in 1937, leaving him at a young age. As William grew older, he helped pick cotton in the cotton fields. He graduated from Horatio in 1948.

Shortly after graduating from high school, William joined the Air Force. He served 21+ years before retiring as a master sergeant. He was always sharing stories about some of his military adventures. He talked a lot about Alaska, Louisiana, Vietnam, and some about Illinois. He retired out of Tinker Air Force Base.

He met his wife, Beverly Jo (Smith) Milam, in Oklahoma before he retired. They got married on July 6, 1969, and had two children. Son, Joseph (Joe) Arthur Milam, Edmond, Oklahoma, and daughter, LeAnne Ruth Milam, Edmond, Oklahoma. William worked with HVAC and refrigeration for several years. His last place to retire from was known as the "teaching hospital complex', he was the parts manager until he retired.

William had several hobbies that kept him busy before and after retirement. He loved a good fishing trip; he liked to tinker in the garage on who knows what; he liked helping out his neighbors and community as well. He was also involved in several organizations: Edmond Elks #2578, VFW Post #4938 and American Legion #111. He held several officer positions with the Edmond Elks as well as help with bingo, workdays, attend meals, and help with veterans' activities. He was the VFW Commander for several years, including district commander for a couple of years, he obviously helped out a lot with the veterans. He was in charge of leasing the building, for a while, at the American Legion.

William is proceeded in death by his parents W.J. and Florence O (Baker) Milam; wife Beverly Jo (Smith) Milam.

William is survived by son, Joseph (Joe) Arthur Milam, Edmond, Oklahoma, daughter, LeAnne Ruth Milam, Edmond, Oklahoma. William also leaves behind several cousins, in-laws, friends and neighbors that he will dearly miss and who will dearly miss our lovely William 'Bill" Odell Milam.

Public visitation will be held Monday, January 26, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Matthews Funeral Home in Edmond, OK.

Services will be held on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the Matthews Funeral Home Chapel in Edmond, OK. Interment is to be held at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at Rose Hill Burial Park in Oklahoma City, OK.

We will be live streaming this service, to watch the service CLICK HERE to go to our YouTube page. Click on 'Videos', then 'Live Streams'.