Death - Billy Ray Lewis II

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Enid News and Eagle
Enid, Oklahoma
Sunday, August 17, 2008

Billy Ray Lewis II: OHP: Kansas man dies in fiery crash in Blaine County Saturday

An Eldorado, Kan., man was killed Saturday afternoon in a two-vehicle fiery collision six miles north of Watonga on Oklahoma 8 in Blaine County.

Billy Ray Lewis II, 30, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper.

Adrianne Marie Grant, 49, of Watonga, is in stable condition with internal trunk injuries after being airlifted to OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City, according to OHP.

An OHP trooper said Grant was northbound on Oklahoma 8 at 1:40 p.m. when the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer she was driving went off the road. Grant overcorrected and the vehicle went into a broadslide, crossed the median and hit a 2003 International truck driven by Lewis.

Lewis' truck went off the right side of the roadway, overturning once, traveling through a fence before catching fire, according to OHP.

Grant was pinned in her vehicle for approximately 25 minutes, and Lewis was pinned in the truck for two hours before being freed by Watonga Fire Department.

The accident and the condition of Grant at the time of the accident are under investigation, according to OHP.

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Alva Review-Courier
Alva, Oklahoma
Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Billy Ray Lewis II - Aline-Cleo native dies in fiery Blaine County crash Saturday

Billy Ray Lewis II, 30, of Eldorado, Kan., formerly of Alva, perished Saturday afternoon in a two-vehicle fiery collision six miles north of Watonga on Oklahoma 8 in Blaine County.

Lewis was reared in the Aline-Cleo area. His wife is Tracy Purcell Lewis, daughter of Keith and Ava Purcell of Alva. Lewis was driving a 2003 International truck tractor without a trailer when it was struck by a northbound 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV driven by Adrianne Marie Grant, 49, Watonga, which traveled off the right side of the roadway, overcorrected left coming back onto the roadway.

The Blazer entered a broadslide crossing the center line striking the semi in its fuel tank. The impact sent the semi off the right edge of the roadway, overturning one complete time, traveling through a fence, coming to rest on its wheels in the north ditch where it caught fire and burned.

Grant was pinned in her vehicle for 25 minutes before being freed by the Watonga Fire Department using the Jaws of Life.

Lewis was pronounced dead at the scene and transported by Lanman Funeral Home of Helena to the State Medical Examiners Office in Oklahoma City. Firefighters spent two hours using the Jaws of Life to free Lewis from his burned vehicle.

Family members said Lewis' stepfather was driving a semi in front of Grant when she lost control of her Blazer. Lewis was behind Grant.

Lewis' stepfather witnessed the accident unable to help his stepson escape the burning truck.

While living in Alva, Lewis worked at Bill Johnson Correctional Center. Prior to that he worked at James Crabtree Correctional Center in Helena.

Condolences may be mailed to Tracy at 1249 NW 40th, El Dorado, Kan. 67042.

Trooper Trent Gale of the Blaine County Detachment investigated the accident assisted by Lt. Anthony Lucero, Lt. Don Hennesy, Trooper Tanner Beckner of the Kingfisher County Detachment, Trooper John Marrion of the Garfield County Detachment, Watonga Fire Department, Hitchcock Fire Department and the Blaine County Sheriff's Office.

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The El Dorado Times
El Dorado, Kansas
Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Billy Ray Lewis II
The funeral service for Billy Ray Lewis II, 30, will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the United Methodist Church in Helena, with Rev. Lell Shillings officiating. Burial will follow at Square Cedar Cemetery northeast of Cleo Springs, with arrangements by Lanman Funeral Home, Inc. of Helena.

Billy Ray Lewis II was born Sept. 22, 1977 in Enid, Okla., and passed from this life on Aug. 16, 2008 in Blaine County, Okla. Billy grew up in the Aline-Cleo and Enid areas. He graduated from Timberlake High School and attended college after graduation. On June 14, 2003, he and Tracy Purcell were married in Helena. Billy and Tracy then moved to El Dorado. Billy worked at several correctional facilities, including CCA in Watonga, Bill Johnson in Alva and JCCC in Helena.

Before going to work for Groendyke Trucking, he worked for Technology Stimulus in Kansas. Billy loved spending time with his family and friends, with his family being #1. He enjoyed swimming and going to the lake. Billy's two Jack Russels, Max and Zoey, were treated like children.

Survivors include: his wife, Tracy of El Dorado; parents, James and Rita Ryel of Enid; brothers, Chason Lewis and wife Stephanie, and Jeff Ryel and wife Leeanna, both of Enid; sister, Jamie Fortner and husband Terry of Enid; parents-in-law, Keith and Ava Purcell of Alva; and brother-in-law, Tejay Purcell of Alva.

Those who preceded Billy in death are his grandparents, Claude and Glenda Ryel and Billy R. and Carol J. Lewis.