William Nelson Tingler

Col. William (Bill) Nelson Tingler, 86, beloved husband, adored dad and Poppa, and renowned maker of ice cream, died on March 10, 2015, in Gulf Breeze, Fla. Bill was born to Jesse Oliver and Helen Gertrude (Yearout) Tingler in Cherokee, Okla., and raised in Enid, Okla. He married the love of his life, Shirley Bell Street, and together they raised five Army brats in interesting locales across the U.S. as well as Germany. Bill served in the Oklahoma National Guard and later the U.S. Army, where he spent his entire 33-year career on active duty. He was a pilot of both fixed-wing and helicopter aircraft, and served tours of duty in both the Korean and Vietnam wars, where his service was recognized with the Master Aviation Badge and a Bronze Star Medal, among other commendations. After retiring from the Army, Bill and Shirley moved to Gulf Breeze, Fla., and, since he wasn’t quite ready to spend so much time on the ground, went to work flying helicopters for oil companies in the Gulf of Mexico and Saudi Arabia. He had a love of flying, and could never quite believe he was paid to do something he loved. Bill was also a 65-year member of the Masonic Lodge. At last count he taught dozens of his kids, grandkids, and various nieces and nephews to waterski. Bill is survived by his wife, Shirley, son Charles Tingler of Gulf Breeze, Fla.; daughter Shelley (Bill Schukar) Tingler of Altamonte Springs, Fla.; daughter Ardeth (Mark Punteney) McCann of Leavenworth, Kans.; daughter April Parsons of Gulf Breeze, Fla.; and daughter Allison (Tim) Mahovlich of Eveleth, Minn.; eight grandchildren: Haley (Chris) Marconett Murphy; Corey (Kevin) Christofferson; Mickey (Ettie) McCann; Molly (Luke) Naccarato; Helen Tingler; Emily Tingler; William (Brittany) Parsons; and Jesse Parsons; six great-grandchildren: Maija, Jackson and Lydia Marconett; Sophie Christofferson; and Virgil and Magnolia McCann; one sister: Beth Smith of Enid, Okla.; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: Russell, James and Ray Tingler and Ray’s wife Berniece; two sisters and their husbands: Agnes (Bud) Cooper and Sally (Vern) Thorlton; and brother-in-law: Dennis Smith. Bill will be dearly missed and fondly remembered. A visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, at Faith Chapel South in Pensacola, Fla. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 19, at Faith Chapel South. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at 12:30 p.m. at Barrancas National Cemetery NAS Pensacola. To honor Bill’s memory, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at woundedwarriorproject.org. FAITH CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME SOUTH, 100 Beverly Pkwy is in charge of arrangements. You may express your condolences online at www.fcfhs.com.

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William Nelson Tingler

June 10, 1928 - March 10, 2015