O.L. Petty, Jr.

O.L. Petty, Jr., of Temple, passed away peacefully January 24, 2017 at the Meridian in Temple. O.L. was 94 years old. He was born July 29, 1922 in Waco, Texas to O.L. Sr. and Velma (Schilling) Petty. He grew up in Temple and graduated from Temple High School in 1938. Mr. Petty attended Baylor University where he played baseball and was a member of the Golden Wave Band and the University Scots Orchestra. After his Baylor graduation, he joined the army in 1942 and served as an officer during World War II as a crew chief on B-29 bombers.
While stationed in Biloxi, Mississippi, he met his Miss Ann, Ann Burwell Linfield. They married on June 25, 1945 in Gulfport, Mississippi. Ann preceded him in death in 2010.  After the military, O.L. began his career in the school, church and office furniture business. His jobs included working for Griggs Equipment in Belton and as president of Royal Seating Corporation in Cameron, Texas.  Mr. Petty was involved in business and community activities such as: being a Director Emeritus of the Texas Association of Business, a member of the Temple and Belton Lions Clubs since 1946, being involved with the Temple Civic Theater, and serving on the Belton City Council for 10 years.
O.L. was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Belton where he served as an elder. Through the years he enjoyed tennis, golf and traveling the world together with Ann.
Mr. Petty is survived by two sons, David William Petty and wife Laura of Belton, Texas and Stephen Edwin Petty and wife Sherry of Athens, Texas, and daughter Jeanne Ann Wilson and husband Eddie of Woodway, Texas. Survivors also include his seven grandchildren: Darrell Petty and wife Cristi, Russell Petty and wife Jennifer, Chris Sells and wife Meagan, Stuart Petty and wife Alicia, Alison Petty Stokes and husband Andy, Elise Wilson Donaldson, Erin Wilson Cottle and husband Chatt. Mr. Petty is also survived by fourteen great grandchildren including: Melody, Olivia and Karis Donaldson; Haley and Jenna Venegoni; Lillian and Grace Sells; Ryan and Reed Petty; Reagan and Madison Petty; Sebastian Stokes; and Colten and Kylee Cottle.
A funeral service for Mr. Petty will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, January 28, 2017 at the First Presbyterian Church in Belton with Rebecca Fox Nuelle officiating. He will be buried in North Belton Cemetery with Military honors.
Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Belton. 2500 Church Street Belton, Texas 76513

The family of O.L. Petty wishes to express our heartfelt thanks to all the staff at the Meridian of Temple. He lived there several years and in all areas he and we saw the utmost care, respect and love shown toward him and his family. We appreciate that they became his "family" away from home.