Reverend Lay

Rev Bill Lay, passed away at the Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa, OK, on Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at the age of 78. Bill was born on January 2, 1934 in Stroud, OK. He was the son of the late Georgana (Place) Jackson. At the age of 9, Bill moved to Tulsa where he completed his high school education at Tulsa Central High in 1951. During his high school years, Bill met Janet Sparkman. Bill went to work for the "NPC" which is now known as the Tulsa World, after high school. Bill started out in the pressroom and through the years worked his way up to production coordinator. During his years at the Tulsa World Bill even attended University of Tulsa for several semesters. On February 28, 1953 Bill married Janet and to this union they had four boys and 60 years of marriage. After Bill left the newspaper he and Janet started the Counseling Center at Victory Christian Center serving as the associate pastor and on the founding board of the church. Through their years at Victory Christian they traveled to various churches offering marriage and family seminars. One of those trips took them to Cornerstone Church in Grove, OK, leading to their being asked to serve as pastors. They accepted the position and moved to Grove in 1990. While pastoring Cornerstone Church, Bill guided the church through 3 major building programs, with the last one being an 800-1000 seat auditorium located at 501 E. 13th street in Grove, now known as First Baptist Church. Throughout Bill's life he owned several businesses including Curley Electric Motor Services in Tulsa, various rental properties and enjoyed building and refurbishing homes. He was an avid Sooner football fan from his youth. But Pastor Bill Lay will be most remembered as a "builder of people". He was a man of great vision. He was preceded in death by his mother. He is survived by his wife Janet of the home; four sons: Mike Lay and wife Debby of Jenks, OK, Tom Lay and wife Pam of Broken Arrow, OK, Jim Lay of Tulsa, OK, and Bryan Lay of Grove, OK; five grandchildren: Shawn Lay and wife Christie, Amy Cosgrove and husband Tyler, Matthew Lay and wife Michelle, Angela Lay, and Stacy Whitworth and husband Michael; five great grandchildren: Logan Whitworth, Ethan Lay, Levi Whitworth, Quintin and Adelaide Cosgrove; and numerous other relatives and friends. The funeral service will be held at the First Baptist Church on Saturday, December 1, 2012 at 10AM with Rev. Jim King and the Rev. Bill Mickler, presiding. The burial will follow at the Memorial Park Cemetery in Tulsa, OK at 3PM. The family will greet friends from 6PM to 8PM at the Worley-Luginbuel Funeral Home in Grove, OK on Friday, November 30, 2012. Arrangements are under the direction of Worley-Luginbuel Funeral Home, Grove, OK. Friends and family may leave notes of encouragement by viewing Bill's Book of Memories at www.honoringmemories.com. Casket bearers will be Mike Lay, Tom Lay, Jim Lay, Bryan Lay, Shawn Lay, and Matthew Lay. Honorary casket bearers will be Fred Caldwell, Kent Hendron, Jeff Stone, and Pam Sitton Memorial contributions may be made to Faith Family Ministries Outreach Memorial Fund, c/o Grand Savings Bank, P.O. Box 451809, Grove, OK 74345-1809.

Visitation Details

Friday, November 30th, 2012 6:00pm - 8:00pm, Worley-Luginbuel Funeral Home - Grove

Service Details

Saturday, December 1st, 2012 10:00am, First Baptist Church - Grove

Interment Details

Memorial Park Cemetery - Tulsa