Obituary

March 19, 2024, we lost the leader of our tribe and the world lost a wonderful man.
Guillermo Bill Castillo was born March 30, 1934. (He was eleven days from being
ninety years old.) He was a native of Colombia, South American and immigrated to the
United States in 1955 following after the love of his life, Miryam De Castro. They
married March 22, 1958. The young couple lived and worked in New York City. Each
of their three children were born there. Richard, Will and Patty.
Bill served in the United States Army 1958-1960 at Fort Belvoir Virginia. He and Miryam
earned their US Citizenship June 21, 1966. He worked for American Airlines in New
York City until 1974 when he was transferred to Oklahoma. He moved his family to
Tulsa. The family integrated into Oklahoma culture and Bill became involved in the
community. He was a respected member of the Hispanic Lions Club. He was active in
charity work. He was always willing to help others and he never met a stranger. He had
a smile for everyone and was famous for his handle bar mustache! He was involved in
the youth soccer program, and active in the Catholic church.
Bill loved his family. He was very proud of his children. When his children brought his
grandchildren into the world he was ecstatic! Bill and Miryam retired in 1993 to care for
their grandchildren, Nathan and Ali. Four years later they added Gabriel and Josh. In
another four years along came Jaxon to complete the set. Bill kept his family close.
The family spent lots of time together with Bill at the center of all the fun. Vacations,
cookouts, celebrations, school programs, the events were many! His grandchildren
adored him. No one ever missed Christmas Eve at the Castillo House!
As the grandkids grew up, Bill again began volunteering and working with Sooner Start
as a translator accompanying families to doctors appointments. He had such a
servant’s heart.
Bill is going to be missed very much. He made an impact on many people. He has
many friends and he has a large family who will mourn his passing. He was preceded
in death by his precious wife of 60 years, Miryam (12/24/2018). Their union was
special and Bill began to lose his gusto for life when she passed. He is survived by his
children and their spouses. Will and Edwynna Castillo of Tulsa, Patty Castillo and Trish
Bartlett of Tulsa, Richard and Tammy Castillo of Tahlequah. His grandchildren: Nathan,
Ali, Gabriel, Josh and Jaxon Castillo. He is also survived by nephew Lenny De La
Cruz. Bill has one brother and four sisters living in Colombia and many nieces and
nephews in the US and South America.
Bill worked hard all his life to build a legacy for his children and grandchildren. He was
a shining example of determination, dedication and kindness. We believe he is now
joined with his wife, Miryam, and we celebrate their reunion and a life well lived.