Bill was born on February 15, 1931, in Keota, Oklahoma, to Albert Henry Monroe and Maude Lillian Robinson. He grew up working alongside his family on their farm, learning early the value of hard work, resilience, and responsibility, traits that would define his entire life.
In his young adulthood, Bill chose to serve his country and enlisted in the United States Navy, where he was stationed aboard the USS Twining. During his service, he met and married the love of his life, Leona Louise Van Ness, on March 5, 1955, in Bakersfield, California.
After his honorable discharge from the Navy, Bill and Leona returned to Oklahoma, where he completed his high school education and earned his diploma from Poteau High School. But the promise of opportunity brought the young couple back to California, where Bill found work in farming and construction before joining Operating Engineers Local 12. With a natural talent for operating heavy equipment, especially cranes, Bill built a respected reputation across the industry for his skill, reliability, and dedication. His hands helped shape the California skyline, working on skyscrapers, roads, and bridges throughout the region.
At the age of 52, Bill and Leona made a bold decision to return to Oklahoma, seeking a quieter life rooted in family and faith. In 1983, they settled in Bokoshe, purchasing land and beginning construction on the home that would become a cherished family gathering place. Their son Bill and his wife Sharon would later join them in this endeavor, making it a true family homestead.
Bill approached this new chapter with the same grit and determination he brought to every aspect of his life. Harsh winters and rugged conditions didn’t shake his resolve. He became an active member of the community, a dependable neighbor, and a devoted member of his church. Passersby often admired the pride he took in his home and land.
More than anything, Bill found joy in his family. He was a steady presence in the lives of his grandchildren and, later, his great-grandchildren, guiding them with quiet strength and wisdom. Known as the family’s undisputed “GOAT” of dominos, his skills at the table were legendary, and few ever walked away with a win.
Bill is survived by his beloved wife of 70 years, Leona Monroe; his children, Bill Monroe and wife Sharon, Jimmy Monroe and wife Marty, and daughter Linda McMillian; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. His legacy lives on in the strong family he helped build and the values he passed on to each generation.
Funeral services for Billy Dale Monroe, 94, of Keota, Oklahoma, will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at Panama Calvary Church in Panama, OK, with Michael Monroe officiating. Burial will follow at Old Bokoshe Cemetery in Bokoshe, OK, under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau, Oklahoma.
You may leave an online message at www.evansandmillerfuneralhome.com.
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