1926 - 2001
While there was an obituary published for my dad by family members in Tulsa, it lacks the truth behind the person of who my dad really was I dedicate this webpage to his memory:
Published in The Tulsa World (OK) - July 13, 2001; Final Home Edition Page: 14 Record Number: TLW0713101 Copyright (c) 2001 Tulsa World. World Publishing Co. "Sinor, Billy G., 75, jeweler, died Thursday in Claremore. Graveside services 11 a.m. Saturday, Memorial Park Cemetery. Moore's Southlawn."
My father, Billy Gene Sinor, was born to James Oliver Sinor and Bertie Lee Horn on the 21st of November, 1926 in Locust Grove, Oklahoma. At the very young age of 6 years old, his father, James Oliver died of bronchial pneumonia. I am sure this was a tremendous hardship on a family already suffering the pain of the depression and now Bertie Lee had to endure more hardships - but I'm sure her faith in God sustained her and the family.
In 1941 there is a record of dad applying for his social security application. At this time he was working at Fowler's Midway Drug-Store in Pryor, Oklahoma. As my dad told me he used to deliver drugs/medicines to folks in Pryor on his bicycle, as well as serve as a soda-jerk in Mr. Fowlers Drug Store. The Sinor family, at this time were living at 224 South Taylor Street, in Pryor, OK.
On August 26, 1943, dad enlisted in the United States Navy at the Tulsa Recruiting Center. At this time he signed a service agreement for two years of service and was released to inactive duty until August 30, 1943. On September 2, 1943 he reported to Boot Camp at the United States Naval Training Center in San Diego, CA. After graduating from Boot Camp in October of 1943, he was sent for training in Wahpeton, North Dakota until February of 1944. (The training received in North Dakota for the rate of Machinists mate.
On February 13, 1944 dad was transferred from North Dakota, to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington for assignment on the USS Cape Esperance (CVE88).
Between November 1944 and January 1945 the USS Cape Esperance was being operated as a replacement aircraft carrier of the Third Fleet. In this capacity the vessel supported attaches by Task Force Thirty-Eight on Luzon, Formosa, Hong Kong, and the China Coast. It also participated in the Third fleet operations supporting the landings on Mondora, Philippine Island and Lingayen, Gulf, Luzon, Philippine Islands.
In July of 1945 dad qualified for the American Campaign Medal, and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, China Service, Philippine Liberation & WWII Victory Medals.
Dad served on other ships including the USS Rowan (DD-782); USS Naifeh (DE-352); USS Mason (DD-852); Uss Grand Canyon (AD-28); USS Strickland (DER-333); USS Hector (AR-7); USS Proteus (AS-19) - the service with the USS Proteus required that he be stationed in Holyloch, Scotland for several years.
In addition to the WWII Medals, dad qualified for the United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation (with one oak-leaf cluster).
Dad, spent a great deal of time in Japan during the U.S. Occupation post WWII, and was stationed in Sasebo, Japan on the Island of Kyushu.
Billy Gene Sinor - Margaret Ann Swymeler - San Diego, CA
Dad retired from the Navy in 1974 after 30 years of service. He and his wifew Sally had a Jewelery Business in the San Francisco Area. Upon their retirement they moved to Hollywood, Florida.
I never knew who my father was, until my mother gave me this information in the early 1990's along with a copy of the picture that is shown above. The only fact my mom told me was that she knew he was from Pryor, Oklahoma, and she gave me a copy of the picture that is displayed above.
The remarkable resemblance between my dad and myself was not realized until my mom had given me the picture of him with my sister, including another of dad from 1946. I was so amazed at the resemblances I took a different picture that mom also had and put it side-by-side with my first year college picture seen below:
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I found my dad in the early Summer of 1996, through the help of My Uncle Roy, Cousin Eddie & Carolyn Sinor who had received a letter that I had mailed out looking for him. Many wonderful Sinor Family members contacted me, however it was first Eddie Sinor and then Uncle Roy who called me at my home to let me know how we were related.
I spoke with him the first time in July of 1996. At that time, both dad and his wife Sally told me of an occasion where they did come to visit me when I was very young in San Diego.
We had good conversation, but at that time, they really wanted to live out their old age alone, and did not want me to interfere in their life. However, my dad did let me talk to him on the phone - but I was never able to go visit them in Florida. Dad had recently undergone surgery for prostate cancer.
In May of 1999 while visiting my sister Margaret in Arkansas, my wife coordinated plans for me and my mom to make a visit to Uncle Roy's in Tulsa. A wonderful reunion occurred. The picture of that event is show below with myself, My Aunt Edna and My Uncle Roy. When Uncle Roy opened the door, and on many occasions after that, he remarked at how much I looked like my dad, Billy Gene Sinor. At this reunion, I had found out that dad had not communicated well with the family over the years. My Uncle Roy and Aunt Edna told me that if Dad ever came back to Tulsa, they would contact me.
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In the fall of 2000 I received an email from my cousin Roy L. Sinor who advised me that Dad was now living with Uncle Roy. Dad evidently been the victim of elderly abuse by a care-giver in Florida who was later convicted, but only given a suspended sentence.
It was a few weeks later that I was re-united with my dad after so many years. If one has not experienced the pain of rejection, loneliness and being fatherless, then it is difficult to comprehend.
When I flew down to Tulsa, I was greet by Cousin Roy and Uncle Roy at the Tulsa Airport. When I walked off the plane, they walked up to me saying "We can sure tell you are family."
Below is the picture of my dad and myself.
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While many people get to grow up with a father, I did not. I was allowed to only be with my dad for a short period of time. However, during this time, I was able to gift him with a birthday present, a Christmas Present, a father's day present, personally visit with him on several occasions, weekly calls & Finally, I was able to give him my last good-bye at his funeral on July 14, 2001, Memorial Park Cemetery, Tulsa, OK. For what I was given, I am truly thankful. Dad told me one time on the phone, "We cannot change the past, we can only forgive it, and deal with the short time we may have together." Awesome words, forever remembered, by his son, Richard.
For the woman he shared so much of his life with, I display the following picture of he and his wife, Sally. While Sally and I may not have got along very well, she did allow me to talk to my dad on the phone, and she acknowledged me as his son.
Dad passed away at Claremore Veterans Center, Claremore Oklahoma, in July 2001. I was on a business trip in St-Louis where I was telephoned of his death. It was a very sad day in my life. I'm grateful to my cousin, Allison Sinor who went the extra mile to find out where I was that day so I could be contacted.
For All Inquiries email: Richard
Swymeler
Please be an advocate and support Elder Care Abuse. For more information about elder care abuse you can link to the following webpage: National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse
Read the following articles about the abuse of Guardianships in Tulsa County as first published in "The Tulsa World", 11/12/2006 by Ziva Branstetter, World Projects Editor: Guardianship System Scrutinized
©2008 - The Carriveau Merrill Raboin & Sinor Families
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This Site Last Updated April 12, 2008