Melvin Keith "Bill" Arledge was born October 22, 1934, to Arthur Bennet and Georgia Ann (Beauford) Arledge at home on his parents' farm in Courtney, OK. He departed this life on October 18, 2023, surrounded by family, Cross Timber Hospice caregivers, and the many nurses, aides, and caregivers at the Ardmore Veterans Center, where he had resided for the past seven years.

Bill was a lifelong Love County resident and member of the Rubottom Baptist Church. He enlisted in the United States Navy on November 24, 1953, and was stationed at the U.S. Naval Station Sangley Point in the Philippines, a communication and hospital facility. Bill was honorably discharged on May 16, 1955. He retired three times from the oil field, working as a tool pusher, driller, and roughneck in his early years. Bill was the foreman of a 17,000-acre ranch in Love County, OK, known as the former Kimball Ranch.

Bill married the former Peggy Crummey and they had three wonderful children together. In his younger days, Bill loved to play basketball and baseball at Courtney High School, where he lettered in both sports and was a hind catcher for the baseball team. He was a hardworking family man, who enjoyed camping, boating,  hunting, fishing, having  fun, and loving life. Bill had many names he was called (Dad, Daddy, Papa) and he answered to them all. Bill was the most loving, caring, and fantastic father anyone could have asked for. He taught those closest to him to honor life with integrity, work hard, and above all else love your families.

Left to cherish his memory are his children, Kathy J. Hays, Michael Keith Arledge, and Lisa Ann "LA" and Kimberly Arledge; grandchildren, Milissa Dawn and Joey Nichols, Ashley Amber (Hays) and Jay Davis, Justin Keith Arledge, Michael Cain Arledge and Rosa Lott, Ashley Johnson, Neil Johnson and Jeremy Hamilton, Yvonne McDonald, Patricia Williams, Sharae Hammond, and Breayah Pendergrass; great-grandchildren, Jacob Don and Kristen Nichols, Jordan Claude Nichols, Kassie Marie Nichols, Jillian Arledge, Carter Arledge, Ethan Denney, Ryleigh  Davoult, Damian Hamilton, Alleyna Hamilton, Kamayah Hain, Taytum Smith, William Smith, Ayva McDonald, Cash Williams, Nevaeh Baker, and Xander Baker; great-great-grandson, Ky-Air Clark; and his chosen and extended family of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, many nephews, nieces, and his caregivers.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Eddie, Frank, Chester, Darl, and Carl Arledge; and sisters, Evelyn Hooks and Hattie Arledge.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, October 20, 2023 at the Flanagan-Watts Funeral Home in Marietta, OK. Bill will be laid to rest with his parents and siblings at the Rubottom Cemetery, with military honors. Visitation will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Casket bearers are Tim Dewbre, Kenny Dewbre, Cain Arledge, Justin Arledge, Tony Hicks, and Jordan Nichols.