Billy Sawney

Bill Sawney was born May 25, 1932, to Thomas Sawney and Stella (Gonzales) Livers. Bill would take his last breath at home surrounded by loved ones on December 6, 2022.

Bill was a member of the Cherry Tree Baptist Church where he loved teaching the Sunday school Cherokee class.  Until the loss of his vision he read his Bible daily and lived according to the good book.

If you knew Bill, you knew about his love for the LA Dodgers baseball team. He loved to share stories of his baseball team coached by his own dad. They were the best around and his many friends would vouch for that.

Bill spent 47 years of his life working for the Ideal Fruit Farm overseeing the orchards, starting in Stilwell and ending up in Sallisaw with the company. After retiring, he worked at several different grocery stores in Stilwell where he enjoyed visiting with customers. Bill never met a stranger in his life.

Bill was proceeded in death by both his parents; his wife of 65 years, Lydia Sawney; one brother, Johnny Ray Sawney; one sister, Lizzie Duncan; one granddaughter, and one great-grandson, Ethan Lawson.

Those left behind to cherish Bill’s memories are his children, daughter Sharon Baird and husband Jimmy of Stilwell, Oklahoma and son Donald Sawney of Stilwell, Oklahoma; his half sister, Carol Sanders and husband Donnie of Stilwell, Oklahoma; two grandchildren Robbie Coombes and husband Charley of Stilwell, Oklahoma, and Joey Lawson and wife Sabrina of Stilwell, Oklahoma; three step-grandchildren, Josh Baird of Stilwell, Oklahoma, Kim Rentchler of Saint Louis, Missouri, and Amanda Willard of Bentonville, Arkansas; and three great-grandchildren, Scott, Samantha, and Amara; and five step-great-grandchildren. He had many friends, but very special friends that became family are Max Ford and Rocky & Connie Carroll.