NEWKIRK, OKLAHOMA, U.S. — William Lynn “Bill” Bliss, Newkirk, Oklahoma, U.S., founder of Bliss Industries, died Feb. 13 at Integris Baptist Medical Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S. He was 79.

He grew up on a farm southwest of Newkirk and was active in raising and showing calves, lambs and pigs. He began working with a construction company and later formed his own Bliss Construction Company, building feed mills in several states, many of which are still in operation. Bliss became a sales representative selling feed mill equipment for several different companies.

In 1979, after being urged to design his own hammermill, which he called the Eliminator, Bliss, along with sons, began Bliss Industries, Inc. The company y grew and they purchased some land in Ponca City, selling equipment all over the world.

Bliss was a long-time member of the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) and was very active in the group’s Equipment Manufacturers Conference (EMC) for many years.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in Bliss’ name to the Newkirk Education Foundation through Eastman National Bank, Box 468, Newkirk, Oklahoma, U.S.,  74647-0468.