William A. “Bill” Black (BS ’52) was a proud and loyal alumnus of The University of Tulsa, who received a Bachelor of Science degree in petroleum engineering. His father, Nye Black, worked in the growing oil industry in northeastern Oklahoma as a pipeline inspector during the Great Depression, and he recognized the vast potential of this developing industry. Nye encouraged his three sons to pursue studies and careers in the petroleum industry, a vision embraced by Bill and his brothers.
Bill launched a successful and fulfilling career in petroleum engineering after graduating from TU, spending the majority of his professional life (31 years) working for Helmerich & Payne. He ultimately served as executive vice president before retiring. Bill met his beloved wife, Mary Lou Saunders, in North Dakota while working in his very first petroleum engineering job for Amerada. The couple was happily married for many years, spending most of their married life in Tulsa, Oklahoma. They lovingly raised three children: Brad, Ken, and Susan.
As a dedicated family man, Bill spent much of his spare time at his family’s lake houses near Tulsa, teaching his children and grandchildren to swim, fish, boat, and waterski. Bill passed away in February of 2013 at the age of 83, and his family continues to cherish their memories of him and the exemplary life he led.
Bill deeply valued the quality education he received at TU, and his wife and children honored his memory by establishing the William A. Black Presidential Scholarship in Petroleum Engineering in 2014 and the William A. Black Provost Scholarship in Petroleum Engineering in 2015.
In 2016, the Black Family also wished to honor Bill’s father, Nye Black, with a namesake scholarship fund. The family established the Nye E. Black Geoscience Scholarship Endowment Fund in recognition of Nye’s career in the oil and gas industry.
Mary Lou Black passed away in 2022, but the endowments she helped establish will honor her husband’s professional legacy for generations to come.
