William Calvin Locke passed away on Mar. 27, 2025. William was born on Jan. 10, 1937, in Madill, OK. After graduating from Shawnee High School, he began a remarkable 40-year career as a machinist at Sylvania, Western Electric (later Southwestern Bell, AT&T, and Lucent Technologies). In 1962, William was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era and proudly served until 1964, stationed in Germany. He further demonstrated his dedication by serving many years as a volunteer firefighter with the Bethel Acres Volunteer Fire Department.
William is survived by his loving wife, Helen Locke; his son Calvin “Cal” Locke and wife Dee; his daughter Stephanie Walker and husband John; stepchildren Kathy McCoy, Mark McCoy (Debbie), Robert McCoy (Jonelle), Curtis Parker (Allie), and Dema Hansmeyer (Todd); grandchildren Callie, Dustin, Wes, Amber, Jarrett, Aaron, Adin, Gage, Zachary, Gracie, and Zeke; his brother, O.L. Locke; cousin Karen Fletcherand and numerous extended family members and cherished friends.
William is preceded in death by his parents, Orvil and Effie Locke, sister Dorothy Locke Kinnaman, and Jo Ann Flesher, the mother of his children.
Services were held Mar. 31, 2025 at St. Pauls United Methodist Church, Shawnee. Burial followed at Resthaven Memorial Park.
