Billy Dean “Bill” Riddle, 89, of Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, entered heaven’s gates to receive his ultimate healing on July 6, 2026. Born March 19, 1937, to William and Beulah (Ledford) Riddle, Bill was a lifelong resident of Pauls Valley and a devoted husband, father, grandfather, businessman and faithful servant of God.
On November 20, 1956, Bill married the love of his life, Ottie Gamble, in Gainesville, Texas. Together they shared nearly 70 years of marriage, faithfully serving their church, raising their family and building a life centered on faith, love and hard work.
Bill attended Pauls Valley Schools and spent his entire career in the upholstery trade, opening Bill's Upholstery in 1969. He continued working at the craft he loved until May 2026, when an injury forced him to step away. He never truly retired, as upholstery was both his livelihood and his passion.
A faithful member of Christian Life Church, Bill served in many capacities through the years, including Sunday school superintendent, Sunday school teacher, youth minister, trustee, custodian and wherever else he was needed. His quiet faith, generous spirit and servant's heart touched countless lives.
Bill was a loving husband and father and openly expressed his love by words and by deeds. The great grandkids called him Papaw, Big Papa and Grandpa Bill and always wanted him to play with them, which he did.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents, William and Beulah Riddle of Pauls Valley; a beloved daughter, Debbie J. Riddle Tucker of Pauls Valley and son-in-law Kregg Tucker of Moore; one sister, Wanda Clayton and brother-in-law Sonny Clayton of Wynnewood; brother, Robert Riddle and sister-in-law Kay Riddle Sneed, both of Bixby; brother-in-law Olin Gamble and sister-in-law Jane Gamble Reyes of Maysville; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Noble and Virginia Gamble of Stringtown; as well as several nephews and nieces.
Bill is survived by his wife, Ottie Riddle, of the home; son, Billy Riddle and wife Fawn of Pauls Valley; daughter, Tammie Riddle-Godfrey and Keith Godfrey of Pauls Valley; grandchildren, Josh and Carly Tucker, Taylor and Chris Dismuke, Maegan Riddle and Darren Boydston, Trevor and Morgan Godfrey, and Micah and Aryanna Godfrey; great-grandchildren, Maisy Lewis and Leighton Smith, Lexi Dismuke, Maverick Dismuke, Harper Dismuke, Ryen Tucker, Asher Tucker, Paysle Godfrey, Baylin Godfrey, Sevynn Gardner, Brynner Godfrey, Kross Gardner, Whitten Godfrey, and Marlowe Godfrey; and his first great-great grandson, Parker, to be born on July 9, 2026. He is also survived by his brother, Jimmy Riddle and wife Janet, of Pauls Valley; disters, Shirley Ragland and husband Richard, and Mildred McBride all of Pauls Valley; daughter-in-law Betty Tucker Christian and her family of Moore; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, friends and precious church families.
His wife, Ottie, often said that when their daughter, Debbie, was killed in a car wreck, Bill was the one that had to stay strong and hold their lives together, because as strong as she was, she couldn’t handle this loss for many years. She credits him with being the family’s ‘anchor’ during this turbulent time. Ottie said Bill was the Biblical example of a husband that loved his wife as Jesus loves the Church, because he always put her ahead of himself.
Bill implicitly expressed his desire to have a celebration of his life and Home Going and not to mourn but to rejoice because he is now home and will see you in the morning. As 2 Corinthians says, “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”
Funeral Services will be held Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 10 a.m. in the Stufflebean-Coffey Funeral Home Chapel. We invite you to light a candle and send words of comfort to the family at stufflebeanfuneralhome.com.
The family will greet friends in a time of visitation Wednesday evening, July 8, from 5 to 7 p.m the Stufflebean-Coffey Funeral Home.
