04/22/2026
Warren “Byron” Hale, 63, was born March 12, 1963, in Hinton, Oklahoma, to Willard Dean and Phyllis Kay (Shanklin) Hale. He passed away at his son Trevor's home in Beggs, Oklahoma, on April 14, 2026.
Byron was raised in Hinton and graduated from Hinton High School with the Class of 1981. During his school years, he was a standout wrestler and football player. His wrestling team won a championship title in 1981. In his youth, Byron worked summers traveling with harvest crews and spent time farming alongside his father, Willard. He later attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University before moving to Texas.
On August 2, 1997, Byron married Kaye Hebard in Hinton, Oklahoma. He worked as a welder before beginning a long and dedicated career in the oilfield industry. Throughout his career, he worked for Schlumberger and later served as a company man for various oilfield companies. He also worked in real estate and, most recently, as a driving instructor at Central Tech in Drumright, Oklahoma, where he trained future semi-truck drivers.
Byron had a deep love for his family and cherished time spent fishing and with Kaye and their 2 boys, Trevor and Tanner. He devoted many years to coaching Little League baseball and PeeWee Wrestling, taking great pride in mentoring young players both on and off the field and mat. Any time spent with his boys was considered time well spent. Byron took great pride in teaching his boys to be good, productive men with excellent work ethic. He enjoyed woodworking and used his talents to create meaningful pieces for family and friends. Byron especially treasured his new daughters-in-law, Ashley and Megan, and found immense joy in his grandchildren, Jack and Grace. He rarely missed an opportunity to cheer Jack on at baseball games and watching Grace cheer. Known for his strong work ethic and generous heart, Byron always prioritized time with those he loved.
He is survived by his wife, Kaye Hale, of the home in Edmond; his sons, Trevor Hale and Megan of Beggs, Oklahoma, and Tanner Hale and Ashley of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and his grandchildren, Jack and Grace. He is also survived by his mother, Phyllis Hale of Weatherford, Oklahoma; his brothers, Ron Hale and wife Rinda of Hinton, Oklahoma, and Duane Hale and wife Nita of Fort Worth, Texas; his mother-in-law, Mary Gorham of Hinton; his in-laws, Marysa and Lon Mincks of Oklahoma City; his uncle and aunt, Joe and Coleen Heldermon of Hinton; and his aunt, Carolyn Ralston of California, along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Willard Hale; his grandparents, Hardy and LaVon Hale and Eris and Mary Shanklin; his niece, JaLisa Hale; his sister-in-law, Johnna Hale; and his father-in-law, Jim Gorham.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Hinton Church of Christ in Hinton, Oklahoma, with Jimmy Wray Mead officiating. Burial will follow at Hinton Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in honor of Byron’s life.
