William Youkhana
January 16, 1939 — October 23, 2015
William Gewargis Youkhana was born on January 16, 1939 and passed away at 2:20 a.m. on October 23, 2015. As a young man, he came to the United States in 1960 from Baghdad, Iraq with $300 in his pocket and the clothes on his back to make a better life for him and his family. He attended school in Oklahoma City and became a well-known hair stylist. He ran his own salon for many years and became a sought-after platform artist in the beauty industry, teaching coloring and cutting techniques throughout the United States.
In the late 1960's, William was responsible for bringing his mother, stepfather, four brothers and five sisters, along with their families, to the United States. Later, he sponsored over 180 families from the Middle East because of the religious and political climate and unrest. He helped to find them jobs, places to live and schools for their children. Many of these Christian families would have suffered under the radical reign of Sadam Hussein, had help not been offered them.
William was a proud American and considered the United States his home much more so than Iraq. During his life, he began several successful businesses in the Oklahoma City and Little Rock areas using his strong will to accomplish these feats. He was an extremely hard worker and his businesses thrived because of the strong sense of purpose and work ethic, which he instilled in his immediate family. His amazing ideas and follow-through helped him build businesses from scratch even though he may have had no idea how they worked at first. We will always be amazed at the tenacity he exuded when he began a project and of the strength he showed to bring them to successful fruition.
William is survived by his wife of 53 years, Karen S. Youkhana, four daughters, Kimberly Davis, Kristi Youkhana, Kellee Youkhana and Camille Youkhana, and three granddaughters, Rachel Davis, Alexys Davis and Leila Ratz.
We will always appreciate the fact that you worked so hard to give your family the best you could possibly give. We will miss you, Baba, and will always love you. Family and friends can sign an online memorial guestbook at www.bouldercityfamilymortuary.com