William L. Counts, Jr.

William L. (Bill) Counts, Jr. passed away July 30, 2026, after an 8-year battle with Dementia/Alzheimer's.

Bill was born June 16, 1943, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to William L Counts, Sr. and Gladys Louise {Shinaberger) Counts. Bill's family later moved to Shawnee, Oklahoma where he graduated from Shawnee High School.

After graduating from high school, Bill attended East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma for a short time. He left ECU and enlisted in the military where he served with the US Army Security Agency in Japan. After his military service ended, he returned to Shawnee and attended Oklahoma Baptist University for a short time. He then transferred to Central State University (now University of Central Oklahoma) where he completed his Bachelor's in Business Administration Degree.

Bill met Mary Sue Mitchell at OBU. After Mary Sue graduated from OBU and was pursuing a master's degree at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Bill called the university and told them he was a "family member" and needed to get "in contact" with her for a "family emergency." They gave him her number! He called her, and they started dating. Bill and Mary Sue were married August 24, 1968, at First Baptist Church in Afton, Oklahoma. God richly blessed them with two beautiful and wonderful daughters who were with him when he passed.

Soon after Bill and Mary Sue were married, he began his 40+ year career in the finance world. He became the Assistant Manager of Wilson Credit Union in Oklahoma City. After Wilson, he accepted the position of President/CEO of Communication Federal Credit Union (CFCU) where he worked for 35+ years until his retirement in 2009. While at CFCU, Bill was active in the Credit Union Executives Society and Rotary International, Club 29 in Oklahoma City.

Bill and Mary Sue have been active members of Quail Springs Baptist Church for 21 years. Bill is a Deacon at QSBC and has served in several capacities. Bill had a strong faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. His family is very thankful to God for taking him home peacefully and painlessly.

Bill was good at math and he could fix anything...electrical, plumbing, cars. After his Alzheimer's diagnosis, he even "uncapped" a gas line that had been purposely "capped" for his own protection! He had a barn full of woodworking tools and could build or repair anything. He loved to boat on Lake Texoma while water skiing with the girls. He loved to snow ski in Beaver Creek, Colorado. He loved to play his "Papa games" with the grandkids! He liked a great steak, peanut butter cookies and Diet Coke!

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Annette Jordan and Sari Catt-Miller. He is survived by his wife, Mary Sue; children Rebecca Smith and her husband Darrell and Susan Washa and her husband Scott; grandchildren Gracey (Washa) Duck and her husband Brodie, Isabelle Smith, Faith Washa, Joy Washa, Andrew Washa; sister Deniese Melenbrink and her husband Eric; several nieces and nephews, and his best friend Bill Trammell.

Memorial Contributions: Quail Springs Baptist Church Missions Ministry, 14613 North May Avenue Oklahoma City, OK 73134