William "Smokey" Gunter

July 28, 1933 - March 12, 2022

William Lawrence “Smokey” Gunter, son of Lawrence Gunter and Ruby Cheadle, was born on July 28, 1933 in Tishomingo, Oklahoma. He passed away from this life on March 12, 2022 in Sulphur, Oklahoma at the age of eighty-eight years, seven months and fifteen days. Smokey has been a lifelong Johnston County resident. Smokey worked for INCA for many years and then went to work for WW Manufacturing in Madill, OK where he would later retire. Once he retired, he continued to work for several individuals doing odd jobs. He attended and graduated from Booker T. Washington School in Tishomingo, Oklahoma. Smokey then went on to attend Murray State College where he played college football and basketball. He played for the last football team that would play at Murray State College. After attending Murray State College, he was asked to play with the Harlem Globetrotters. Smokey enjoyed sports of all kinds. He loved and attended as many ballgames and sporting events he possibly could at Tishomingo Public Schools as well as at Murray State College. He may not have known your name but knew the number you wore and what position you played. He also spent many years riding horses and watching rodeo events. Preceding him in death: Lawrence Gunter (Father); Ruby Cheadle (Mother); Joe Ella Pickens Gunter (The Mother of four of his children); William Lawrence Gunter, Jr. (Son). Smokey is survived by his children: Joe Cornell Gunter, Tishomingo, OK; Celeste Moore, Coweta, OK; Darrell Gunter (Alberta), Springer, OK; Russell Davis and DeShonda Hayes (Leo), Oklahoma City, OK. Grandchildren: Jillian “Jill” Woodruff, Savannah, Georgia, Sheridan Patrice Gunter, Tishomingo, OK; Jordan Dominique Gunter, Ardmore, OK; Mariah Nichole Thomas (Bo), Hennepin, OK; Faith Danielle Gunter, Oklahoma City, OK; Leo “Tre” Hayes, Oklahoma City; Clark Moore, Oklahoma City, OK; Kierra “Keke” Lewis and Savannah Phillips, Tishomingo, Oklahoma. Great-grandchildren: Asyia, Masyn, Tylee, Tagen, Tateleigh, Jalen, Kyler, Dominik, Cassidy, Saiyr. Siblings: Mabel Colbert, Jo Ann Hooks, Billy Gunter, Marcus Brown, Annetta Moore, Cynthia Gunter and Greg Brown. Numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins as well. There was an ongoing joke among the nieces of who was his "favorite?" Smokey was loved by so many people in the family and in the community. No matter where he went, he would visit with others. Smokey attended Rawhide Cowboy Church in Gene Autry. Smokey gave his life to the Lord on January 9, 2022. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tishomingo Athletic Booster Club in memory of William "Smokey" Gunter William “Smokey” Gunter will be buried at the Wiley Cemetery following the service – family private burial. A meal will be provided for family and friends following the service at the First Baptist Church Annex Building, Main Street, Tishomingo. Honorary Pallbearers: Tishomingo Athletes Officiating will be Pastor Trent Daniels and Rev Bobby Davis A celebration of life for family and friends will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, March 26, 2022 at the Tishomingo High School Gym. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tishomingo Athletic Booster Club in memory of William “Smokey” Gunter.