William Egolf

William T. Egolf Peacefully left this life on December 30, 2007 at the age of 89. He was born on August 20, 1918, to William Daniel and Sidney Anne Freeman Egolf in Muskogee, OK, where he lived through grade school. His family then moved to Wichita, KS, living there for several years before moving back to Oklahoma City, OK. After graduating from Classen High School in 1935, he joined his father in the oil and gas business, devoting time to lease acquisition and drilling supervision. Mr. Egolf attended Oklahoma City University his freshman year, and then transferred to the University of Oklahoma where he was a member of Pi Beta Psi fraternity. He graduated with a degree in Business Administration with an elective curriculum in Oil and Gas Law. He returned to work with his father in the oil and gas industry until December 1942. He then went to work for Douglas Aircraft Company as a Production Statistics Supervisor until 1946. On September 8, 1944, he married Harrylou Franklin in Santa Fe, NM at the Church of The Holy Faith. They still maintain a residence there. From 1946 to 1966, Mr. Egolf organized and operated H & E Aircraft Company in Oklahoma City, OK. In 1966, the aircraft business was sold and he went to work for Jones and Pellow Oil Co., where he was the manager of the Land Department. From 1969 to 1987, Mr. Egolf was in the business of sponsoring limited partnerships for the purpose of exploration and development of oil and gas properties. In 1982, Mr. Egolf established Petroleum Investments, Ltd., the second publicly traded Master Limited Partnership that was traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Until March 2007, Mr. Egolf was actively involved in the management of his family owned oil and gas business. Mr. Egolf was a former director of the Banks of Mid-America and the Liberty National Bank and Trust Company of Oklahoma City from 1980 through 1986. He was a member of the Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club, Classen Alumni Association, Fred Jones, Jr. Museum of Art Association, Museum of New Mexico Foundation, Myriad Gardens Foundation, National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Oklahoma Heritage Association, Oklahoma Historical Society, Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association, Oklahoma Zoological Society, and the Lotus Club. As a member of the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, he was on the hospitality committee to entertain international visitors. His business associates admired his effective leadership and loyal support, which are characteristics that Mr. Egolf certainly had. His quiet but effective manner and his perceptive support will always be remembered. These same qualities were clearly evident in his support of numerous civic and charitable organizations. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Daniel and Sidney Anne Freeman Egolf; and his brothers, Willard and Freeman Egolf. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Harrylou, of the home; son, Brian F. Egolf and his wife, Rosemary of Creede, CO; daughter, Louise A. Egolf of Santa Fe, NM; and former daughter-in-law, Christina Egolf of Santa Fe, NM. His greatest joy were his grandchildren: Brian F. Egolf, Jr. and his wife, Kelly, Adrian Egolf, Maria Egolf-Romero, Thea Egolf-Milinaire, Eileen Egolf; and great-granddaughter, Cameron Egolf. The family would like to extend thanks to Mr. Egolf's caretakers: Eileen, Katharina, Juan, Rene, Donald, Nora, Ruby and Hospice of Oklahoma County, Inc. Services will be held on Wednesday, January 2, 2008, at 2 p.m., in the Chapel at Westminster Presbyterian Church with Interment following at Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in his name, to Westminster Presbyterian Church or the charity of your choice.