William O. “Bill” Snyder

William O.  “Bill” Snyder passed away on February 3, 2024, in Midland, TX.   He was 92 years old.

Born in Findlay, Ohio on January 20, 1932, to the late Everett T. and Dorothy E. (Benner) Snyder.  Bill grew up in Findlay, Ohio.  He married his childhood sweetheart, Shirley A. McFadden, on August 24, 1952, and she survives.  Also surviving are his daughters, Rebecca Opperman of Lubbock, TX, and Cynthia Wagler of Midland, TX, and his sons: William B (Brad) of Idaho Falls, ID, Dr. Warren R.  (Randy) of San Angelo, TX and Joseph B. of Flat Rock, IL.

Bill attended Findlay High School and was president of his senior class, graduating in 1949.  He completed his freshman college year at Otterbein College, Westerville, OH and then transferred to the University of Oklahoma where he completed a degree in Petroleum Engineering and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the US Army in 1954.

Subsequently he completed a reservoir engineering short course at Colorado School of Mines and attended executive management courses at Indiana University, Northwestern University, and the University of Houston.  He was a Registered Professional Engineer in WY, IL, and TX.

Immediately upon graduation from Oklahoma University, Bill went to work for Ohio Oil Company (now Marathon) in Sidney, NE where he served in drilling operations until April 1955 when he was called into the US Army to serve a two-year commitment.  At the end of this commitment, he returned to Ohio Oil Company at Grass Creek, WY as a field engineer, Cody, WY as a reservoir engineer and back to Grass Creek as Engineering Supervisor.  During 1971 he was transferred to Midland, TX as District Reservoir Engineer and then to Robinson, IL in 1974 as Project Engineer for a tertiary recovery project.  This was followed in 1976 in a move to Bridgeport, IL as District Engineer and in 1981 to the Chief Engineers staff in Findlay, OH.  During 1983 he was promoted and moved to Houston, TX as the Division Engineer and in 1986 to Midland, TX as Region Engineer, and later Production Manager, retiring in Midland during 1990.

Bill thoroughly enjoyed his retirement and his family, spending many hours in his wood shop building furniture and various toys for his children and grandchildren.  He and Shirley traveled frequently for many years – visiting children, enjoying the education benefits of Elder Hostel sites around the country, and travelling to England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, and Austria.  But most of all, Bill enjoyed time with his wife, Shirley, his five children, thirteen grandchildren, and fourteen great-grandchildren.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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