William Temple

Graveside services for William Hubert temple are at 10:00 a.m., Monday, September 10, 2012 at the Nowata Memorial Park Cemetery with Pastor Cheryl Newton officiating. Arrangements have been entrusted to Benjamin Funeral Service. Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemories.com William Hubert Temple, 94, died on September 5, 2012 at the Oklahoma Veteran's Center in Claremore Oklahoma. Hubert was born on July 1, 1918 at Nowata, Oklahoma to William Harrison Temple and Esther Lucinda Phillips Temple. Hubert's early years were spent hunting and fishing on the banks of the Verdigris River. He loved to build things and created his own Model T from spare parts gathered wherever he could find them. Hubert enlisted in the Army on December 4, 1942 at Tulsa. He served in the 101st Airborne Glider Infantry. He was wounded on the third day of the D Day Invasion at Utah Beach in Normandy, France. Later, he fought in the Battle of the Bulge, where his feet were frozen. Hubert spent seven months in the Army hospital in Colorado, receiving an Honorable Discharge on July 1, 1945 from Camp Carson. He was a Purple Heart recipient. On September 8, 1945 Hubert married Leatrice Virginia Smith, the love of his life. They lived in Independence, Kansas where he worked for Sinclair Pipeline. Hubert and Lea joyously welcomed their firstborn, William Francis Temple, on January 1, 1947. The family then moved to Caney, Kansas. The family moved to Nowata and added a daughter, Rebecca Ann, to their happy family. They owned and operated a dairy farm for thirty years. Hubert and Lea knew all their cows by name, and kept records of them. Even in his later years, Hubert could tell you about the cows, and stories of humorous things that happened during their times in the dairy business. Hubert and Lea were hard working stewards of the land, always smiling and welcoming to friends and neighbors. He loved his country and almost gave his life for his country during the war. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion. He was an unassuming man, working hard and making a living for his family. Hubert is survived by his son, William (Bill) Temple and his wife, Phyllis, of Nowata, and his daughter, Rebecca and her husband John Ecker, of Muskogee. Grandchildren, Mark Temple and his wife, Shelli, of Owasso, Heidi Whitford of Muskogee, and Jordan Whitford of Muskogee. Step Grandchildren John C. Ecker and Jennifer of Vian, Julie Schutte and Chris of Broken Arrow, Jason Ecker and Tracy of Harrah, and Amy Brunson and Wayne of Hilldale. Five special sisters-in-law: Inez Gulley of Oklahoma City, Theola Smith of Bartlesville, Virginia Temple of Salem, Utah, Ailene Darby of Eunice, Louisiana, and Dot Culp of Tulare, California, three nephews and 13 nieces.

Visitation Details

Friday, September 7th, 2012 12:00pm - 5:00pm, Benjamin Funeral Home

Saturday, September 8th, 2012 8:00am - 5:00pm, Benjamin Funeral Home

Sunday, September 9th, 2012 8:00am - 5:00pm, Benjamin Funeral Home

Service Details

Monday, September 10th, 2012 10:00am, Nowata Memorial Park Cemetery

Interment Details

Nowata Memorial Park Cemetery