Oklahoma native William F. “Bill” Martin was the son of a German immigrant who came to this country with only three dollars in his pocket and eventually built a successful grain business in northern Oklahoma, where Mr. Martin was born. Bill Martin graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a business degree in 1938, where he lettered in basketball and was conference tennis champion in both singles and doubles. A year later, he joined Phillips Petroleum Company as a general clerk in the Treasury Department and was eventually named treasurer in 1960 and secretary and treasurer in 1964. He became chairman and chief executive officer (1972-1982). Mr. Martin was active in support of OU, in support of his industry, and in support of his community, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, as a civic worker and fundraiser. In 1980, he led the campaign to raise $15 million for Oklahoma’s Enterprise Square USA on the campus of Oklahoma Christian University in Oklahoma City. Among his national awards was the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav, one of the nation’s highest awards, for his contributions in developing the energy potential of Norway.