William Ted Fix, Jr. 1943 — 2024
William (“Bill”) Ted Fix, Jr., of Norman, Oklahoma was born on September 17, 1943 in Lynchburg, Virginia to Wiliam Ted Fix and Mamie Katherine Gillespie Fix. He died at the VA Hospital in Oklahoma City on July 19, 2024, due to complications arising from an extended hospital stay.
He grew up in Tonkawa, Oklahoma, where he was an outstanding football player (All District/All Conference), a remarkable singer (All-State Choir), and President of his Senior Class of 1961. He met his wife, Carolyn Hawkins, in school and they married in 1963 after he joined the US Navy as an Electrician’s Mate on a diesel-driven submarine, then ultimately as a Plank Owner on the nuclear submarine, the USS James K Polk (he served from 12/61-12/67). His military service was beneficial in “teaching him how to study”, as he attended Nuclear Power School, one of the most grueling technical study programs that exists in the military. While in the military, he began experiencing back pain which progressed after he was discharged. It was discovered that the pain was due to a cancerous tumor that was growing in his spinal column, which eventually led to paralysis from the chest down. Due to the timeline of the tumor, he was granted full military disability status which blessed his family enormously and provided for complete accommodations at his home that was custom-built to be handicap-accessible in 1983. He perservered through innumerable physical setbacks over the years as he continued to provide for his family, teach thousands of students and write/ refine science curriculum and serve as a leader in the church.
After the Navy, he and Carolyn moved to Norman in 1969 where he earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma and entered the field of education at University High School for one year, then Norman High School as a science teacher from 19721998, excelling over the years as a Chemistry and Physics teacher, being awarded the Norman High School Teacher of the Year and being the Norman Public School’s nominee for the State of Oklahoma Teacher of the Year several times in the 80’s and 90’s. He made learning science a fun endeavor, and taught critical thinking skills that his students carried with them throughout their lives. He studied under Jack Renner when he was at the University of Oklahoma and authored several curriculum packages that were widely utilized throughout the State of Oklahoma. He was also renowned for his ability to spin a question FROM a student into a question TO a student - something he also constantly did at home to the chagrin of his wife and children.
He enjoyed playing card games and Monopoly, and was always willing to play with his friends and family. He loved a good “bad joke” and repeated them quite often - it’s rumored that he was the originator of the “Dad Joke”. He was also quite adept at Wii Tennis and Golf, which he practiced regularly for exercise and so he could challenge his grandchildren when they visited. He maintained several lifelong friendships that encompassed laughter, conversations, games, and dinners - and these friendships provided the backbone of support over the years, especially after Carolyn died in 2023 when he required assistance getting to church and various appointments.
He served as an Elder, Worship Leader, and prayer warrior at Wildwood Community Church in Norman, Oklahoma for several years and was referred to as the “Gum Man” by kids who would line up after church services for him to hand them a stick of gum. He was also a member of All Souls Episcopal Church in Oklahoma City, and had lifelong friends at both churches. Bill was a huge fan of the writings of G.K. Chesterton, C.S. Lewis, and A.W. Tozer and enjoyed listening to sermons by R.C. Sproul and Bill Pearce.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Carolyn Hawkins-Fix, his parents, Ted and Mamie Fix, and his sister, Mary Fix-Fawcett. He is survived by his siblings, Sarah Fix-Price, John Fix and Bobbi Fix-Schurman, his daughter, Daphne Fix of Norman, Oklahoma and his son and daughterin- law, Joe and Michelle Fix of College Station, Texas, along with his three grandchildren, Lauren, Kathryn, and Daniel Fix, and many nieces, nephews and treasured friends.
The Fix family is grateful for the home health care he received through Lifespring, especially the long-time consistent loving care of Neely Stroup and Peggy Hart.
A visitation for William will be held Thursday, July 25, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Primrose Funeral Service, 1109 North Porter Ave, Norman, OK 73071. A memorial service will occur Friday, July 26, 2024 at 2:00 PM at McFarlin United Methodist Church, 419 S University Blvd, Norman, OK 73069.
The service will be livestreamed at this link https://www.youtube.com/live/ wyvEUyvPM_g?si =uMb7OtEy9xgCZfkz