The Duvall Dynasty lost one of its founding members as Bill Duvall passed away at the age of 83. Bill and Roy Duvall, along with Ote Berry and Spud and Sam Duvall, made Checotah, Oklahoma the Steer Wrestling Capital of the World.

“Bill was a second dad to me. He was always there with wisdom, advice and great stories,” Ote Berry said on social media.

Bill was inducted into the National Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2018. Bill Duvall was born in October 1941 in Boynton, Oklahoma. The 1960s through the mid-1990s saw the formidable steer-wrestling team of Bill Duvall and his brother, 1998 Rodeo Hall of Fame Inductee Roy Duvall. Although Bill Duvall never won a world championship while competing, while on the hazing side of a steer he helped many steer wrestlers on their way to championships. Two of the world champions for whom Duvall hazed were his brother, Roy, and 2016 Rodeo Hall of Fame Inductee Ote Berry. Bill and Roy Duvall were known for owning some of the best bulldogging teams, several of which were ridden by a number of champions. An accomplished horseman, Bill Duvall took care of breaking and training the horses that made up these bulldogging teams.

Duvall, along with Roy, held many steer-wrestling schools that helped young cowboys get their start. Considered by many former students to be an amazing teacher, Duvall was even known to haul some of his students down the road to get their start in rodeo.

Duvall’s sons both qualified for the NFR: Sam in 1987 and 1988, and Spud in 2001 – 2004. His grandson, Riley, who still competes, also qualified for the NFR in 2016. In 1978, Bill and Roy Duvall established the Duvall Steer Wrestling Jackpot at Checotah, Oklahoma, as a venue for the toughest steer wrestlers to compete against one another. It is still held to this day, though the Duvall brothers handed the reins over to their sons and grandsons.

You could always see Bill with his lovely wife Imogene Duvall at Checotah Wildcats sporting events. They always had a smile and he always had a good story to tell.

Bill’s memorial service will be held this Friday, July 18 at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Checotah.