Billy “Bill” Ray Hulsey, 83, of Coffeyville passed away Monday, June 2, 2025, at his home surrounded by his family.
He was born in Oswego, Kansas, on October 4, 1941, to Lloyd Ray and Mary Elizabeth (Whitaker) Hulsey. Bill spent his early years and started school in Chetopa, Kansas. In 1953 his family moved to Coffeyville where Bill completed his education, graduating from Field Kindley High School and attending Coffeyville Community College. He worked with his father at Superior Poultry and Egg until moving to Bartlesville, Oklahoma, to work for Phillips Petroleum Company. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve.
On July 31, 1965, he married Claudia Robertson at the First Christian Church in Coffeyville. Following their marriage, they made their home in Bartlesville. In 1969 he returned to the family business in Coffeyville, where they raised their daughters.
Bill lived a fulfilling life as a devoted family man, successful business owner, and dedicated community member. Bill was a man of many accomplishments. Bill and Claudia were co-owners with his parents of Superior Poultry and Egg Company. In 1967, they opened Coffeyville's first convenience store, Kwik Stop at 809 Elm St. in Coffeyville and formed Superior Foods. The company later purchased George's Cafeteria, which they owned and operated for many years. He was known for his entrepreneurial spirit and his dedication to providing quality service to the community. Many former employees of George’s remember him fondly as one of their best bosses.
When George’s closed, Bill went back to work as a piping designer and project manager with Service & Technology Corporation in Bartlesville, and later with The Benham Companies in Tulsa. He retired in 2009.
Bill was a member of First Christian Church in Butler, Missouri where his daughter Sharla is pastor. He was also a member in several community clubs and lodges, including the Sertoma Club, the Rotary Club, and Keystone Masonic Lodge #102 AF & AM. His hobbies included traveling, fishing, and gardening, activities that brought him joy and peace. However, what mattered most to Bill was his family. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother.
He is survived by his wife, Claudia Hulsey, of the home. Bill is also survived by his daughters, Sharla (Michael White) Hulsey and Carrie (Brian Peirce) Lindholm; his brother, Bob (Sam Wheeler) Hulsey; his sisters, Sue Rudziensky and Mary Ann (Richard) Widmer; two grandchildren, Cameron and Jamie Lindholm; and two step-grandchildren, Jacob and Tucker Peirce.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Mary Hulsey.
A memorial service celebrating Bill's life will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 613 South Elm Street, Coffeyville, Kansas, with a visitation an hour before the service, and Chaplain Steven Foraker with Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice officiating.
Memorials may be directed to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice or First Christian Church of Butler, Missouri; contributions may be left with or mailed in care of David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337.
Those not able to attend may watch the live stream of Bill's service on his memorial page at www.dwbfh.com
We invite all who knew Bill to leave memories and upload photos to Bill’s memorial page at www.dwbfh.com.
David W. Barnes Funeral Home of Coffeyville is in charge of arrangements.
