NEWS FROM THE HUT by John Hamilton

This is going to be a “Flashback” series about veterans who have been part of the history of the HUT, Post 142 in Hominy, Oklahoma, and part of the history of the Hominy community. All veterans are special patriots and deserve to be honored, but the veterans who are no longer with us also deserve to be honored, and that is the purpose of this “Flashback” series for veterans that have passed into the Hominy Post 142 Post Everlasting Memorial in our hearts

WILLIAM (Bill) White

Bill White was a “one-of-a-kind”, kind of man. He was gentle, kind, quiet, compassionate, caring, humble, “old-school”, a man’s man. One of the hardest working men around, almost until his last day. He was the family rock, the center of his families world. Bill left his family with many, many treasured memories. Bill was born on November 20, 1925 in Hominy, Oklahoma to Walter and Sarah (Colbaugh) White. He was raised by his beloved Aunt Kate and Uncle Babe Colbaugh. Bill’s entire school attendance was spent in Hominy.

When Bill turned 17, he joined the United States Navy on October 8, 1943. He served his country as a Radioman, 3rd Class, during World War II, serving honorably under Admiral Nimitz. He was stationed at Red Hill, Pearl Harbor, and was present at what is known as the Second Bombing of Pearl Harbor. While working in Radio Control, Bill’s job was to help monitor and correspond the air and sea rescue operations.

In November of 2012 Bill was honored at Hominy High School by being named “Veteran of the Year” and received an honorary Osage Tribal blanket. On December 19, 1959, Bill and Judy Gallagher were united in marriage. This union took place in Judy’s hometown of Lake Odessa, Michigan. Bill and Judy celebrated 53 years together in December 2012. Most of Bill’s working life was spent at Producer’s Oil Company, where he worked both in Hominy and Garber, Oklahoma. Bill loved the oil field work and loved the life-long friends he made along the way. After retiring from Producer’s “Mr. Bill”, as many of Bill’s friends lovingly called him, worked his dream job throughout the United States, alongside his son and family in the Pipeline Industry. After retirement, Bill and Judy enjoyed traveling around the United States and Canada, visiting his years as a “Winter Texan”, spending time in Alamo and Kingsville, Texas. Bill was a lifelong resident of Hominy, where he was a lifetime member of the VFW, a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose in Bartlesville, (where he spent MANY a night dancing the night away), membership in the Blinded Veterans Association, and the American Legion Post 142 in Hominy. Bill was also an “official member” of the “Mainstreet Coffee Club” as well as participating in the monthly Alumni Breakfast group. Bill was a member of Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hominy, where he served as a Reader and Usher for many years.

William (Bill) White passed away very peacefully at his home on Wednesday, April 24, 2013 in Hominy, Oklahoma with his family at his side. Military services were provided by the Pawhuska American Legion Post 98 and the American Legion Post 142 of Hominy, Oklahoma. The pall bearers for the service were: Babo Carter, Pat Passmore, Bill Goebel, Bob Gallagher, Jerry Jackson, Dennis Kidder, Michael White, Bob Goodrich, Bruce Gallagher and Jack Romine. Honorary pall bearers were Gene Moss, John Fields, Ancil Davis, Quinton Rodgers, Cmder. James Frazier and the American Legion Post 142 Members.

Witt Franklin Tucker

Witt Franklin Tucker was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma on December 19, 1927, to Laura Jeannette Witt and Bertie Roy Tucker. He attended school in Shamrock, Oklahoma and graduated in 1945. Following graduation, he served with the United States Army during World War II in Japan. Upon his discharge, Frank returned to Shamrock where he later married Peggy Jo Sullivan on August 5, 1950. They were married over 64 years. Franklin’s employment included cementing and testing for Halliburton in Oklahoma, station manager for Dow Chemical Company in Louisiana and electrical refrigeration processing engineer for Rite Care Poultry Processing Plant also in Louisiana. In 1966, he moved his family to Hominy and purchased an oilfield supply store. Known to many as Tux, he was owner of Tux Hard Shop until his retirement in 1981, at the age of 54. His retirement years were spent fishing, camping, gardening, and spending time with family and friends. Frank was a member at the First United Methodist Church in Hominy, OK. Witt Franklin Tucker of Hominy, Oklahoma died on November 19, 2014 at the age of 86 years and 11 months. He was under the care of the Claremore Veterans Center in Claremore, Oklahoma.

Until further notice, our regular Legion meeting will be the third Thursday of each month. Our next meeting will be on Thursday, May 20^th at 7:00 PM. The Sons of the American Legion meetings have been suspended until further notice, depending on the future COVID-19 situation. We have resumed the tradition of the dinner at the meetings now on the third Thursday of each month. The Monday morning Koffee Klatch meetings have been resumed at 8:00 AM. If you are a veteran, come by for our monthly meeting, and/or the Monday morning Koffee Klatch meetings. Several of the Post 142 members meet on Wednesday’s at Daylight Donuts on OK-99 around 8:00 AM in Hominy for coffee and breakfast treats. If you have a good story, it may end up in print. Also, keep up with us at the Post 142 website “americanlegion142.org” and Hominy Legion on Facebook.