William M. Plaster

William M. 'Bill' Plaster, 99, was born on January 11, 1905, in Chandler, OK, to Velda A. and Mettie O?Neal Plaster. He grew up in the neighboring town of Meeker where he graduated from Meeker High School. Bill and his childhood sweetheart, Lucile Reding, went on to the University of Oklahoma where he graduated as a geologist and she as a schoolteacher. They were married in 1930, soon after graduation. Bill?s career took them to Texas where he worked for both major and small oil companies as an oil field geologist. He excelled at his work and in 1948, they moved to Shreveport, Louisiana, where he thrived as an independent oil operator and consultant. He was known professionally as William M. Plaster, Geologist. Locally, Bill was called the ?Dean of the Oil Men? and is widely known for his contribution to helping countless others get their start in the oil business. His workdays were spent in downtown Shreveport where he maintained an office, but much of his mapping work continued well into the night at home. His selflessness and generosity have touched hundreds during a career spanning 70-plus years. Few are the successful oil men in this area who did not benefit from his phenomenal energy and fertile mind and few are the people who knew him that did not enjoy his company. Bill was every bit a gentleman and a worthy friend. Several have recalled that he enjoyed giving two- dollar bills and silver dollars during Christmas as token gifts to people he encountered during his daily routines. His and Lucile?s love for beautiful flowers enriched Bill?s domestic life. Their home at 8304 Suffolk Drive was, for many years, a showplace for Bill?s camellias and azaleas and Lucile?s African violets. They were enthusiastic supporters of civic clubs promoting those plants. For as long as he was able, Bill?s Saturdays were devoted to his yard and flowers. Bill was baptized at the age of 16 at Meeker First Christian Church. His only relative from his generation was his cousin, Mildred O?Neal Crownover, a long-time Meeker resident, now deceased. His cousins, Betty Crownover Harper of Meeker and Carl Crownover of Corpus Christi, Texas, and their families survive him. After Lucile?s death in 2003, Bill moved back to Meeker to live near his relatives. He passed away on July 14, 2004. He will be interred at the New Hope Cemetery in Meeker Oklahoma next to his wife. The family extends their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Bill?s friends and business associates in Shreveport who have continued to show their love and concern for him with their calls, gifts, cards, and letters.