A deadly confrontation at an Oklahoma City car wash has ended with a prison sentence for a 60-year-old man who admitted to killing another man with a wooden board. Behind the criminal case is the story of a victim whose family remembers him for his intelligence, nursing career and the fresh start he hoped to build.
Billy Buford pleaded guilty in May 2026 to first-degree manslaughter in the death of 48-year-old Douglas Smitherman. He was sentenced to life in prison, with all but the first 16 years suspended, according to the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office.
The case stems from a violent encounter on May 2, 2025, at An-Son Car Wash on Northwest 122nd Street in Oklahoma City. Investigators determined that Buford repeatedly struck Smitherman in the head with a 2×4 wooden board.
The car wash has since closed, but the circumstances surrounding the killing have left Smitherman’s family dealing with a loss that went far beyond the details of a criminal investigation.
What Happened at the Oklahoma City Car Wash?
Police were called to the car wash on May 2, 2025, after a report that a man’s body had been found at the property. Officers identified the victim as Douglas Smitherman, 48, and noted injuries consistent with a homicide.
No arrest was announced immediately. Later that month, Buford was taken into custody in connection with Smitherman’s death.
Investigators subsequently determined that Buford had repeatedly beaten Smitherman in the head with a wooden board. Authorities also said the men had been involved in a dispute in the days before the fatal encounter.
According to reports about the investigation, the two men had fought and thrown bricks at each other before Smitherman was killed. Officials have not publicly established a definitive motive for the deadly attack.
The case eventually reached a resolution when Buford entered a guilty plea to first-degree manslaughter in May 2026.
His plea was entered without a sentencing agreement, leaving the punishment to be determined after the court considered the case and the presentencing investigation.
Why Buford Received a Life Sentence With 16 Years to Serve
Buford’s sentence is life imprisonment, but the court suspended all but the first 16 years. That means he must serve the unsuspended portion of the sentence, subject to applicable custody and release rules, while the remainder is suspended under the terms of the judgment.
The distinction matters because a life sentence with a substantial suspended portion is different from a sentence requiring a defendant to remain incarcerated for the rest of his life.
The Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office said a presentencing investigation had been completed before the sentence was imposed.
Such investigations generally help courts evaluate a defendant’s background and other relevant circumstances when determining punishment. The precise factors considered in Buford’s case have not been detailed in the information released publicly.
Buford pleaded guilty to manslaughter rather than proceeding to trial on the original homicide allegation. His plea resolved the criminal case without a trial determining guilt on that charge.
His Family Remembered a Man With Exceptional Intelligence
While the criminal proceedings focused on the violence that ended Smitherman’s life, his family remembered a very different side of him.
Known to loved ones as “DougE Fresh,” Smitherman was described by his mother as exceptionally intelligent, well-dressed and dedicated to his work.
She recalled that he had a strong academic record and built a career in nursing, eventually serving as a house supervisor at McAlester Regional Health Center for approximately three years.
His accomplishments extended beyond the hospital. Smitherman graduated from McAlester High School in 1995, maintaining a 4.0 GPA despite missing many days during his senior year, according to his obituary.
He also became a certified personal trainer and worked at Gold’s Gym in Oklahoma City before earning his registered nursing degree from Eastern Oklahoma State College.
His family described him as someone who genuinely cared about the people he helped. Patients appreciated his approach to nursing, and he later worked as a traveling nurse at hospitals across Oklahoma.
Those who knew him remembered a man with several talents and a strong desire to make a difference in other people’s lives.
Smitherman Had Recently Returned to Oklahoma City
Before his death, Smitherman had moved back to Oklahoma City in hopes of beginning a new chapter.
His mother explained that he felt limited by his circumstances in McAlester and wanted an opportunity to rebuild his life somewhere new.
“He felt like he couldn’t make it in McAlester — he felt like everyone knew him, and he wanted to start a new life,” she said.
That decision has become a particularly painful part of the family’s loss. Smitherman was not simply remembered for the way he died, but also for the future he had hoped to create.
His story highlights the difference between a person’s final moments and the years of relationships, professional achievements and personal ambitions that came before them.
For his family, those memories remain an important part of who he was.
A Dispute That Ended in a Fatal Attack
Investigators have described a history of conflict between Buford and Smitherman in the days leading up to the killing. The reported fights and exchange of bricks offer some context for the tension between the men, but authorities have not publicly confirmed what ultimately triggered the fatal assault.
The use of a wooden board in the attack and the repeated blows to Smitherman’s head formed central elements of the investigation.
Although Buford’s guilty plea brought the criminal proceedings to a resolution, it did not answer every question about the events that led to the confrontation.
The sentencing marks a significant development in the case, establishing the punishment Buford will face while bringing the legal process closer to its conclusion.
What Happens Next?
With the sentence imposed, Buford faces at least the unsuspended 16-year prison term, subject to applicable legal and custody rules. The suspended portion remains governed by the conditions of the sentence and the law.
For Smitherman’s family, however, the outcome cannot restore the life that was lost.
His nursing career, academic achievements and reputation for intelligence remain central to how relatives remember him. The nickname “DougE Fresh” also reflects the personal identity that existed beyond the court documents and the details of the killing.
The case began with a death investigation at an Oklahoma City car wash in May 2025. It ended with Buford’s guilty plea and a life sentence that requires him to serve 16 years before the suspended portion is considered under the applicable terms.
But for those who loved Smitherman, the lasting story is also about a son, father, brother and friend who had built a career helping others and hoped to start over in Oklahoma City.
