William Paul Caldwell

William Paul Caldwell passed away peacefully on March 25, 2024, at the age of 87.

Paul was born June 6, 1936, to William Webb and Lola Bell (Cary) Caldwell in Roosevelt, Oklahoma. Paul started school in Roosevelt and later graduated from Mountain View High School with the Class of 1955 where even though he was still a student, he drove the morning and afternoon bus routes for his friends and neighbors.

On September 30, 1964, Paul married the love of his life, Mary Sue Balden, in Chickasha, Oklahoma. They made their home on the family farm in Carnegie where they lived together for 59 wonderful years. One thing that could always be said about Paul was that he was a hard-working man. He retired from both Washita County District 1 where he drove a road grader, and Carnegie Public Schools where he was a janitor and, once again, a bus driver. Paul was lucky enough to be able to drive Brent and Paula on many of their school activities and quite often, Mary Sue hopped on for the ride. Even while working for the county and school, Paul’s true passion was farming and ranching. He spent most of his birthdays driving the combine and ate his cake in the wheat field, and his cattle were tirelessly counted, fed and watered no matter the crazy Oklahoma weather. Paul was never one for sitting still. He could always find a piece of machinery to work on, a fence to mend, wood to cut or a project he could help his kids or neighbors with. Paul loved breakfast, fishing, Sunday afternoon naps and reminding us to “check the oil.” But most of all he loved his wife, children and being a Pawpaw.

Paul is survived by his children: Brent Caldwell and wife Julie of Clinton, OK, Paula Watson and husband Jason of Carnegie, OK; grandchildren: Laurie Watson and husband Jamil of Alex, OK, Jesseca Thomas and husband Chase of Carnegie, OK, Brad Watson and wife Katlyn of Chickasha, OK, Jake Watson of Edmond, OK and Brylan Caldwell of Bethany, OK; great-grandchildren: Micah Flores of Alex, OK, Corbin Beaver of Carnegie, OK, and Daxson Watson of Chickasha OK; sister-in laws Lois Caldwell of Elk City, OK, Lavada Randquist and husband Bobby of Edmond, OK, and Carol Wanzor and husband Kynn of Duncan, OK; as well as by many nieces, nephews, family and friends

He was preceded in death by his parents, Webb and Lola Caldwell; wife, Mary Sue; brother, Wayne Caldwell; and his sister and brother-in-law, Wanda and Buck Hooper.

Funeral Service were held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at Ray & Martha’s Funeral Home Chapel in Carnegie, OK. Visitation was from 1- 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 30, 2024, and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, April 1, 2024, at Ray & Martha’s Funeral Home in Carnegie, OK.

The family was present on Monday evening from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Interment was in the Carnegie Cemetery in Carnegie, OK.

Services were under the direction of Ray & Martha’s Funeral Home, Carnegie, OK.