William G. Skelly aka William Grove “Bill” Skelly, born to the humble beginnings of Irish and English immigrants in Erie, Pennsylvania, on June 10, 1878, embodied the quintessential American dream through his ascent in the oil industry. Skelly’s relentless work ethic was evident from his early days selling newspapers in the harsh Pennsylvania winters to attending business school in less than a year after finishing public school at age fourteen. He learned the ropes of the oil trade alongside his father, hauling supplies across dirt roads in a horse-drawn wagon—an experience that etched a profound mark on his life’s trajectory.
By age 15, Bill earned $2.50 daily as a tool dresser in Pennsylvania’s Venango Field, absorbing every ounce of knowledge about the oil business. His budding career took a brief detour in 1898 when he served as a private in the Spanish-American War. On his return, Skelly moved to Indiana, where he became the Citizens Gas Company manager. Here, he witnessed the wastage of natural gas and became fascinated with George Westinghouse’s innovations in gas pipeline systems, insights that would later fuel his ambitions.
William G. Skelly
(2012.201.B1180.0231, Oklahoma Publishing Company Photography Collection, OHS).
Driven by a fierce spirit of independence and armed with industry know-how, Skelly ventured into oil booms across Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, eventually finding his fortune in the El Dorado Field of Kansas in 1916. His success there led him to establish the Midland Refining Company by 1917 and, two years later, the Skelly Oil Company, headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma—the burgeoning “Oil Capital of the World.” By 1923, the Skelly Oil Company had become one of the strongest independent crude oil producers and natural gasoline manufacturers.
Skelly’s crude oil production rose from 1,639,722 barrels in 1920 to 8,753,127 in 1929. Skelly had become one of America’s largest independent oil operators, with extensive holdings in Oklahoma’s Healdton-Hewitt Field and beyond. His operations were not just business ventures; they were acts of visionary entrepreneurship, particularly his pioneering efforts in the Permian Basin and the development of natural gas markets.
Skelly’s relationship with the Osage Nation in Oklahoma was pivotal. At auctions under Pawhuska’s Million Dollar Elm, he secured leases that sometimes fetched over $1 million, benefiting the Osage community greatly. He was innovative in his approach to preserving gas pressure in the fields, ensuring natural and sustained production.
Throughout the 1920s and 30s, Skelly’s empire expanded to include a network of pipelines, refineries, and over 471 service stations, supported by a workforce of thousands and a wide-reaching network of jobbers and franchise dealers. Despite his corporate success, Skelly’s heart remained close to Tulsa. A stalwart Republican and civic leader, he championed numerous charitable causes and educational initiatives, including the founding of Tulsa’s Spartan School of Aeronautics in 1928.
Bill Skelly’s influence extended far beyond the oil fields and corporate boardrooms. He was a principal figure in establishing the International Petroleum Exposition, serving as president until he died in 1957. His bipartisan efforts included collaborations with figures like U.S. Senator Robert S. Kerr, demonstrating his commitment to his industry and community.
William G. Skelly passed away on April 11, 1957, leaving behind a legacy marked by pioneering spirit, community service, and an unyielding belief in the American dream. A titan of the oil industry, Skelly’s life story continues to inspire those who, like him, believe that no obstacle is too large and no effort is too great in pursuing success. His motto, “Never let anything get you down,” remains a timeless beacon of resilience and determination.
