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William C. “Bill” Oakley, 93, a resident of Gooding, died on Thursday, December 2, 2021 in Gooding, Idaho.
He was born in Kemmerer, Wyoming on May 29,1928, a place he was very fond of throughout his life. He moved with his family to Gooding in 1937 and graduated from high school in 1946. In high school he was a four-year letterman in football, basketball, and track. It was at this time in his life when he met and courted a red-headed local girl named Doris Osborne and they were married in 1946 following his graduation. That marriage lasted until her death in 2014. They had two sons. Their first, Chris, was born and David came along ten years later.
As a young man, after several short-term jobs in Gooding, he joined his brother-in-law, George Carrico, in forming the public accounting firm of Carrico and Oakley Public Accountants. They had a firm with clients primarily in Gooding and south central Idaho. In 1960, without a day of formal college education, he decided he needed to try to become a Certified Public Accountant for his own self-esteem and no other tangible reason. At that time one could sit for the CPA exam without a college degree. While maintaining a busy practice and full life, married and raising two boys, he studied nights and sat for the exam twice a year without fail. In 1978 he became a CPA. When George Carrico left the firm for retirement Thomas Jones joined him in what became Oakley and Jones, Certified Public Accountants. Their practice expanded into southern Idaho until his retirement from this firm in 1995. Following his retirement he had a number of happy years working part-time in his capacity as an accountant for the Gooding County Highway Department.
Bill was an active contributor to the community of Gooding throughout his life, from playing Taps on his trumpet at funerals when still in high school to being on the County Hospital Board late in life. He was a member of the Gooding Country Club Board, and an enthusiastic Rotarian for decades. He was a key figure in the life of Trinity Episcopal Church for many years, but when that was no longer extant he converted and attended St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church the last years of his life. A late-life passion was serving on the Board of Directors in the formation of Magic Valley Bank where he played an instrumental part. All of his civic activities were something to which he felt obligated to contribute and which brought enjoyment for him. His greatest affinity in life, aside from his wife and family, however, was for the people of Gooding and the area itself. There were many people who he considered his friends and he spoke admiringly of them often.
Bill led a very active life hunting, fishing, golfing, and skiing, all of which he shared with both his wife and sons. He travelled quite often in later years but was always eager to return to Gooding.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris, and his son, David.
Bill leaves his son, Chris (Judy) and his three cherished grandchildren, Nathan (Shellie) Oakley, Erin (Noah) Bryan, both of Boise, and Gretchen (Gabby) Spiro of Salt Lake City, Utah. He also leaves seven great grandchildren, whom he loved very much.
A funeral service will be held at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church in Gooding on Tuesday, December 14, 2021with the Rosary at 10:30 am followed by Mass at 11:00. Burial will follow at the Elmwood Cemetery in Gooding.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Gooding High School Athletic Department, 1050 7th Ave. West, Gooding, Idaho 83330, or your charity of choice.
Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of Demaray Funeral Service – Gooding Chapel.
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