Bill Williams - affectionately known as "Husky Bill" arrived in
Lloydminster, Alberta from Cody, Wyoming on September 21, 1946 with his wife
Jessica, daughter Billielu and sons Jim and John. He was one of the first
Husky employees in Canada and came to build and to establish Husky's presence
here. He gained his experience in the oil and gas industry in Montana and
Wyoming before joining Husky.
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Bill opened an office in Lloydminster in the old Stuart Wright building on the corner of 49th Street and 50th Avenue in November, 1946. In the spring of 1947, the land was cleared for the first Husky refinery in Canada. The refinery was being shipped from Riverton, Wyoming to be assembled at Lloydminster and began arriving at the beginning of July. Bill had been in charge of building the original refinery in Riverton, Wyoming, which supplied fuel for the Armed Services during the Second World War in the Pacific area. He received a Commendation from Franklin D. Roosevelt, the President of the United States, for his participation.
Bill had joined Husky in 1934 - one of the first employees of that new company. He became the first Husky employee to retire on full pension.
When the Lloydminster refinery was up and operating he turned his knowledge to the drilling and production development in the Lloydminster district.
Bill was very proud to be chosen the first Lloydminster Oilman of the Year
and throw the
first stone at the First Annual Oilmen's Bonspiel in Lloydminster in 1972.
Bill joined the head office of Husky in Calgary; in 1956 and in 1962 Bill and his wife, Jessica, traveled to Tunisia, Africa, to oversee the drilling of Husky's first offshore oil well. After being there a year, they returned to Calgary where he retired and spent his remaining years.
Many remember Bill by his Texas accent, his cowboy boots, cigar and Stetson
hat, as well as that ready humour and happy smile.