Shirley and Bill both came from large, poor families. They knew from an early age they wanted more. “We grew up together,” Bill said. “We didn’t come from much, but we had the same goals. We knew we could do better, and hopefully help some people along the way.”
“I started at Safeway Credit Union, and Bill began a career in construction,” said Shirley. “With the exception of working part-time following the birth of our daughter, I was a full-time professional.” In 1978, Shirley was named the President and Chief Executive Officer of Safeway Credit Union – a position she held until her retirement. Safeway was later renamed Oklahoma Federal Credit Union.
As one of the first female executives in Oklahoma, Shirley found her biggest fan in Bill. “He encouraged my career. In fact, he has always thought that I was smarter than I really am,” Shirley said. “But Bill wasn’t the norm. Most men would have preferred women to stay home.”
In addition to his own business, Bill volunteered more than 40 years training horses for mounted police departments in central Oklahoma. “I trained quarter horses for most of my life. So when I was asked to help the local police departments, I was glad to do it,” Bill said.
The McConnell’s enjoyed raising miniature horses together (alongside quarter horses) until Bill suffered a heart attack in 2007. The McConnell’s then donated the herd to a local boy’s ranch, but kept their favorite mare as a pet. They decided to breed her one last time. However, when the colt was born, his front legs were deformed. “The vet told us he would never walk and advised us to put him down, but we couldn’t do it,” Shirley said. “We named him Sunny and found a vet who made a pair of braces for him. Bill worked with Sunny every single day and helped him walk…he grew into a gentle, sweet, loving horse. Eventually we trained him to be a therapy horse.”
Shirley and Bill now spend most of their time taking the tiny horse to various hospitals and facilities to visit both children and adults. “Those with disabilities especially find Sunny a joy and inspiration,” Shirley said. “He has become our own mission.”