William A. (Bill) Griffeth
September 10, 1940 – December 25, 2020
William A. (Bill) Griffeth was born at home in Cushing, Okla. on Sept. 10, 1940. Bill was raised on his family dairy farm, the Griffeth Dairy, by his loving parents Jessie Anderson- Griffeth and Wilbur F. (Bill) Griffeth, along with his sister Ginger Griffeth-Barton. A fiercely harder worker since birth, the average day could be described by an early morning wake-up call, where he would roll out of bed to land on a cold wood floor. He would hustle to put on his chore-clothes in front of the Deerborn heater before he hurried to the concrete porch where his Redwing boots were waiting. While his parents were already well into milking the cows, he would feed the beef calves and collect the eggs of the laying hens before running down the dirt driveway to catch the school bus, which would take him to Harmony school. Bill started high school in 1955, where he played football, basketball and was an FFA member. Because of his background, Bill took a special interest in livestock showing and evaluation. The lessons learned at home and in the various competitive engagements propelled Bill to further his education. Bill enrolled at Oklahoma A&M in 1958, where he majored in Animal Science. Determined to make his family proud, Bill lived in the school chicken house and worked his way through school. While at OSU, Bill was a member of the 1961 champion livestock judging team, who won the International Livestock Judging Contest in Chicago. In 1962, upon graduating from OSU, Bill reached a pivotal point in life—earning his first job. Bill was hired by Wilson Packing Company as a hog buyer. Here, he utilized his knowledge of sound livestock to learn the industry side of livestock marketing. He reached the conclusion that livestock marketing was the career path for him. He then took another key step: moving to the Oklahoma National Stockyards, where he met his wife of 58 years, Karen Coit. He also met another important person, Tom Gilliam, who has grown to play a major role in Bill’s business endeavors. In 1970, Tom and Bill started an order buying business. They cultivated this business, until 1987, when they expanded to purchasing Stockman Livestock Marketing and Order Buying and Stockman Livestock Commission Company. The two made another leap of faith in 1988, and purchased the market at Apache, Okla. A true agriculturist, Bill’s professional journey can be summarized by this core principle: do what is right, even if it’s not convenient for you. Bill set an incredible example to those who knew him by walking in the footsteps of history while blazing his own trail all in one stride. Personally, Bill was a strong Christ-follower. He was dedicated first to his Heavenly Father, then to his family. Together, he and Karen had three children: Kim Griffeth-Walters. Greg Griffeth, and Shelley Griffeth-Grellner. As a husband and father, Griffeth was honest but fair, and extremely wise. He was a man of few words, but he meant everything he said. Bill also had another special title: PawPaw. Kim and her husband John Walters have two children: Corbin Walters, married to Lainie Lawson-Walters, and Hadley Walters. Greg and his wife Katrina Barlow-Griffeth have two children: Amarie Griffeth and Georgia Griffeth. Shelley and her husband Randy Grellner have two children: Austin Grellner, engaged to Kirsta Simpson, and Jacob Grellner. He instilled in each grandchild a love for family, farming, and golf. Together, MawMaw, Karen, and PawPaw built a family who love to be together, from family golf scrambles to Branson trips. With each child and grandchild, he had an intentional and special relationship. He will be dearly missed.
Visitation will be held Tuesday December 29, 2020 at Matthews Funeral Home from 1:00 until 8:00 p.m. Services will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Edmond at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday December 30, 2020 with a Graveside Service at 2:00 p.m. at Euchee Valley Memorial Park in Cushing, Oklahoma.
If you wish to view the service via Livestream please go to www.fpcedmond.org and go the the media tab.
In Lieu of flowers please make donations to; Oklahoma State University Livestock Judging Team, the First Presbyterian Church of Edmond, or the Crossway Church of Cushing, OK.
Karen, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I met Billy in Mrs. Vaught’s first grade class at Harmony School. We got in trouble together for writing on our desk. Mrs. Vaught wrapped crepe around us to “tie” us to our chairs to keep us out of trouble. We thought we would be in those chairs for ever. I have great memories of the the Griffeth families. (Charles and Pauline and Lee and Opal) as well as Bill and Jessie. We were one big Harmony family, full of love and kindness. Bill was a good man and I know how proud he was of his kids and grandkids. He will be missed by many.
We have been best friends with the Griffeth Family for 50 yrs. & our kids grew up together. We built 7 homes for family members during that time ❤️
We have been best friends with the Griffeth Family for 50 yrs. & our kids grew up together. We built 7 homes for family members during that time ❤️
Karen, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
My condolences. I can see his values were passed.
Karen, Kim, Greg, Shelley, & family – my heart breaks to hear this news about Bill! He was such a wonderful, loving husband, father, & PawPaw, & friend. I have fond memories of “Uncle Bill” & his sense of humor! What a wonderful tribute to him & the impact he made on the lives of everyone he met. Much love & prayers. 🙏🏻❤️Kay Dell
Karen, I was so sorry to hear about Bill. My thoughts & prayers are with you. May your wonderful memories comfort you & your family!
Much love,
Janet Jaggi
Karen. I am so sorry for your loss. My dad had so much respect for Bill. They were truly the salt of the earth. You are in my prayers.
Love,
Jayne Spies
To the Griffeth Family,
It was with great sorrow that we learned of Bill’s passing. He was a treasured friend to our family for many years. He will be missed dearly.
May God wrap his arms around you and your family and give you all peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Love Always,
The Taylor Family (Neal and Jean Taylor, Maranda and Bob Gunn, Trenna and Jory Blagden, and Michael and Brenette Taylor)
Karen, Greg, & the Griffeth family,
I was so saddened to hear of Bill’s passing. He always wanted to do things the right way and I enjoyed working with him thru our livestock marketing industry.
I really enjoyed playing golf with him. His jokes & banter about our golf games during a round of golf made the day a lot of fun.
He will be greatly missed.
We send our heartfelt sympathy, love, & prayers.
Terry & Ruth Chapman
It was late November 1961, when seven young men, plus their coach, loaded up in a station wagon parked on the west side of the OSU Animal Science building, and prepared for an adventure to Chicago and the International Livestock Show. Mr. Glen Bratcher (Head, Animal Husbandry Dept) gave a send off. His remarks were short and pointed: “Gentlemen, you are representing this department and Oklahoma State University; work hard, do the best you can, and have fun. Do it in that order and good things will happen.” It did happen! The 1961 team was victorious, it set a record score that stood for near 40 years. Bill Griffeth was one of those seven.
Having already spent the previous year in training, we were already friends, but cooped-up in such tight quarters, and pursuing a common goal, we grew into even closer friends. That fact has remained a lifetime. Bill will be missed for his wit, humility, and calmness; but, Griff will not be forgotten.
We are all just a little bit better person for having known him. God Bless!
Karen and Griffeth family
Our prayers and love are with you. Will greatly miss one of our favorite neighbors. May GOD”s blessings be with each of you.
My prayers are with your family. I used to get to go to work with my dad, George Privette on Fridays during the summer months when I was in grade school. Bill would always take interest in taking me to the sale barn with him while he bought cattle. I have always remembered that. It was so much fun. He always made me feel important, introducing me to the other buyers. And showing me what was going on.
Much love and prayers…
Matt Privette
Dear, dear Karen,
Don and I are saddened by the thought of Bill’s sudden passing. Please know that our prayers are with you and the family. We will be “attending” the service tomorrow. If we were still in Oklahoma, we would definitely be there in person. I hope someone can hug you for me.
Much love,
LettyAnn
Griffeth Family,
Please accept our heartfelt condolences on Bill’s passing. All of the comments about Bill’s character are spot on. Having worked for Bill and his partner Tom for most of my forty years at the OKC Stockyards, I can attest to his honesty, integrity and work ethic. Bill’s subtle sense of humor was another endearing trait.
It was an honor to know him as a coworker and friend. God bless you.
George and KarAn Privette
Dear Karen and family. We are so sorry to hear about Bill. He was an amazing person and our lives were blessed to know him. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Bill was a man of few words but when he spoke it was duly noted. He gave me several pieces of wisdom that I really can’t repeat here but ,wow, a man among men …