William Rhoades

William L. Rhoades, age 86, of Bixby, Oklahoma, died on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at Clarehouse in Tulsa, Oklahoma. William “Bill” was born on September 21, 1939, in Covington, Ohio, to the late W. Leonard and Dorothy E. (Rasor) Rhoades. He was preceded in death by his parents, W. Leonard Rhoades and Dorothy E. (Rasor) Rhoades, in 2004 and 1999 respectively; his wife of 44 years, Marilyn (Stade) Rhoades, in 2006; and his sister, Joyce (Rhoades) Zigler, in 2024. Bill is survived by his two daughters, Connie Rhoades and Julia (Rhoades) Mattera; his two grandchildren and a granddaughter-in-law; and his brother-in-law, Thomas Zigler.

Bill developed a love for the saxophone when he was introduced to the instrument in the fifth grade, and that love grew into a lifelong passion for music. He played extensively with bands and orchestras and was a featured soloist. He graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education and from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with a Master of Arts in Church Music. Over his lifetime, he worked in public school music education, finance at Western Ohio National Bank, and ministry as a worship and arts pastor serving churches in Ohio and Oklahoma. He also served as a trustee of the J.R. Clarke Public Library in Covington, Ohio, and as an administrator for Play and Learn Preschool in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Graveside Services and Interment will be held at Highland Cemetery in Covington, Ohio, on Monday, September 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Local arrangements are in care of Moore Funeral Home, Covington. Memorial contributions may be made to any of the following organizations:

• Play and Learn Preschool – playandlearnpreschool.org
• Clarehouse Hospice – clarehouse.org/donate
• Samaritan’s Purse – samaritanspurse.org
• Good Shepherd Hospice – goodshepherdhospice.com/donations