In 1954, Sybil fell for bull rider and rodeo clown Bill Newcomb. “I was 17, Bill was 25…everyone told me he was trouble,” laughs Sybil, “I didn’t care and we married six months later.”
Personally and professionally, the Newcombs built stellar reputations. Bill went from being a rodeo clown to Blue Nose the Clown with the Shriners organization. As Blue Nose, Bill entertained children for over 27 years and was named the International Clown of the Year in 1999.
The Newcombs have shared an eventful life. After raising three children, one morning Bill received a phone call. Turns out, it was a daughter he never knew about, “Before I married Sybil I told her ‘this wasn’t my first rodeo,’ but I had no idea I had another daughter,” explains Bill. “Sybil told me ‘if she’s looking for family – count me in; if she’s looking for anything else – I’m out.’ Fortunately, she just wanted to know her daddy.” Bill and Sybil welcomed her to the family.
But it was Sybil’s career with the sheriff’s department that brought her to the Federal Courthouse the morning of April 19, 1995. “Bill asked me if I had to be in court that day,” said Sybil. “In fact, I had to testify that morning. He had a really bad feeling and begged me not to go, but that wasn’t an option.
“I entered the courthouse at 9:00 a.m. As I was heading for the courtroom an explosion occurred…we quickly realized it was the Murrah Building. There were people emerging from the rubble and I ran over to help. I didn’t know it at first, but I was in the area of the building where the day care center was…it didn’t take long for the parents to arrive. It was heartbreaking.”
Back at home Bill was frantic for news. “I finally reached someone in the sheriff’s office and was assured that Sybil was fine. At that point, all I could do was wait.”
The tragedy would change their lives forever.
“When I finally made it home that night, I was in shock,” said Shirley. “Bill hugged me, held my hand and just let me deal with what had happened... We had been so blessed and after that day, we never took another day for granted.