William Gorlinsky

William Allen Gorlinsky Sr., lovingly known as Bill, of Jenks, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully at the age of 85 on April 30, 2025.

Bill was born on May 26, 1939, in St. Francis, Kansas, to Carl and Edith Gorlinsky. He graduated from high school in Anderson, Missouri, in 1958, and went on to attend Central Technical Institute, where he earned a degree in Electronic Engineering. Bill also served two years in the Army National Guard.

Bill married Carol Harmon, and they had two children: William Allen Gorlinsky Jr. (B.J.) and Debra Jean Gorlinsky.

Bill was an accomplished man whose work took him to several states, including Colorado, Idaho, California, Kansas, Minnesota, and Missouri. During high school, he learned to play the trumpet and continued as an adult, often playing 'Taps' at military services. One of the highlights of his career was working for Martin Marietta, where he served as a project leader on the Titan Missile Projects I and II. After leaving Martin Marietta, he was employed by Fabri Tech. Throughout his life, he held various roles-serving as an Alderman for Anderson, Missouri, owning a bowling alley, working as a realtor, driving a school bus, living as a roughneck in the oil fields, and serving as an Electrical Engineer at Sunoco Refinery.

Bill moved to Tulsa, OK, in the mid-eighties, where he met Donna Louise Little. The couple married and joined their families on May 17, 1986, in Tulsa. Bill and Donna enjoyed traveling and spending time at Grand Lake, fishing, camping, and boating. After Bill retired from Sunoco in 2000, they decided to move to the lake full-time in 2002. In 2010, Bill chose to return to work, taking on contract jobs for several companies. His work took him to Utah and Ohio, and eventually, Bill and Donna decided to close their chapter at the lake and move back to Tulsa full-time.

They then pursued a lifelong dream of full-time traveling and decided to purchase an RV, which became the vehicle for many adventures. Embracing the snowbird lifestyle, they spent their winters in Florida, enjoying the sunshine, the RV community, and each other's company. In the warmer months, they frequented campgrounds in Texas and Oklahoma, where they loved hosting and sharing their outdoor lifestyle with friends and family.

Bill was a beloved brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was preceded in death by his father, Carl Gorlinsky; mother, Edith Gorlinsky; brother, Jim Gorlinsky; and son, B.J. Gorlinsky. He is survived by his wife, Donna Gorlinsky; brother, Ken (Esther) Gorlinsky; daughter, Debbie (Cesar) Cantu; daughter-in-law, Lori (Ed Hohlt) Gorlinsky; stepsons, Mel Little and Todd Little; granddaughters, Kristi Spotts, Shauna Gorlinsky, Lyndsey Jobe, Maegen Little; grandsons, Colby Cantu, Mitch Little, and Liam Gorlinsky; along with 12 great-grandchildren.

Bill will be remembered for his sense of humor and his ability to make anyone laugh. Whether pulling pranks or telling jokes, there was never a dull moment when Bill was around. No problem was too great for him to solve, and no broken thing was beyond his ability to fix, always with patience and dedication. He loved tailgating and cheering on the Sooners, attending University of Oklahoma football games as a season ticket holder for many years. An avid fisherman and outdoorsman, he loved taking his family out on the boat to fish and enjoy various water activities together. Throughout his life, he embraced new experiences, exploring the country and saying yes to every opportunity to learn and grow. As a trusted mentor and friend to all, Bill will be profoundly missed by those who had the privilege of knowing him, and his memory will live on in the hearts of so many.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a charity close to their heart in honor of Bill.

Bill's celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 17th, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Schaudt Funeral Service in Glenpool, OK, with a luncheon following the service.