G.W. (Bill) Snell, 97, died at 4:05 am on February 26, 2018 at his home
in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.
Bill was born July 18, 1920 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma to Fred R. Snell
and Jennie Mae Spalding Snell. He attended school in Bartlesville,
graduating in 1937 from Bartlesville High School. He was then employed
by Reda Pump Co. and later Phillips Petroleum Company.
On June 17, 1940 he married Maxine F. Johnston, the love of his life, in
a private ceremony at the Boston Avenue Methodist Church in Tulsa,
Oklahoma. Their friendship began in 1935 when each were in high school
which led to marriage and a lifetime together.
After attending H.C. Price Welding School, in 1941, he started on a
lifetime of recognition all over the United States for his expertise in
welding. Then, worked for H.C. Price Pipeline Construction Company of
Bartlesville, Oklahoma. In 1942, still with H.C. Price he worked on the
World War II Emergency Project for aviation fuel, from Skagway to
Fairbanks, Alaska, the Canol Project.
January 1945 to May 1946 he served in the Army Signal Corp, training at
Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Camp, Shelby, Neosho, Mo, and then Vint Hill
Farms, Virginia as code instructor. He was honorably DISCHARGED May
1946.
In 1947, Bill and his father F.R. Snell started the F & S Welding Co. In
1948 he returned to pipelining, joining R.H. Fulton Co of Lubbock, Texas
as welder and welding foreman. In 1952 to 1955 he was employed by Platt
Pipeline Co of Casper, Wyoming as Connection Foreman. They built a home
in Casper planning on making this their home, but they decided to return
to F & S Welding so they made one more move to Bartlesville where they
continued to live the rest of their lives. It was a happy move for them.
In 1962 he started a 20-year career with Phillips Petroleum Research
Center in Bartlesville as a Contract Welder until his retirement, then
continuing working at home.
A son, William Frank (Bill) was born to Bill and Maxine on January 5,
1942 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. He was named for his father and
grandfather Frank Johnston being born on his grandfather’s birthday.
Their daughter Donna was born September 21, 1954 in Casper, Wyoming. She
was a much welcome gift, making their family complete. She complemented
their family by becoming a teacher.
Bill loved his family and enjoyed life. Music was very important to him.
He had a good voice, sang a lot and loved to dance. He wrote poetry and
short stories that were published. During his life, he owned a sail
boat, 2 outboard motor boats, liked to ski. He had a jeep, 2 motorcycles
and liked to fish and hunt.
He will truly be missed by family and friends.
Bill is survived by son Bill and Bertta Snell of Bartlesville; daughter
Donna and Stephen of Tulsa; granddaughters Timi and Bert Wilson of
Moore, Allan Snell of Owasso, Amy Overby of Raleigh, N.C.; daughter in
law Linda Norman of Moore; six great grandchildren; one great grandson
and a host of nieces and nephews.
As per Bill’s wishes, there will be no public funeral services held.
Arrangements are under the direction of Stumpff Funeral Home &
Crematory.
Cemetery Details Memorial Park Cemetery
4200 Nowata Rd
Bartlesville, OK, 74006
