William Franklin Oxford, junior, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend, passed from this life on April 2, 2006.
Mr. Oxford, known as Dub, was born in Beaumont on December 22, 1921 to Louise Todd Oxford and William Franklin Oxford, senior. He was a graduate of Beaumont High School in 1938 and received a degree in chemistry from Texas A&M University in 1942. He was sports editor for the Battalion, class agent for the class of 1942, and author of a column for the Beaumont Enterprise and Journal, News from Aggieland.
Upon graduation, Mr. Oxford worked as an analytical chemist with Texaco and returned to Texas A&M to pursue his master’s degree. In 1944, he returned to Beaumont to begin his forty-one year career with Sun Oil Company as a corrosion engineer. In 1970, he was appointed Science Advisor for the Key Exploration Areas Region based in Dallas, and he worked in the Artic region as well as offshore. Mr. Oxford traveled across America speaking for the oil industry during the 70’s energy crisis. Mr. Oxford held a number of patents in the field of corrosion-chemistry and drilling fluids, and was a Certified Corrosion Engineer as awarded by the National Association of Corrosion Engineers. A member of the American Chemical Society, he wrote articles for technical publications and is listed in the American Men of Science for 1961 and Who’s Who in the Southwest.
Mr. Oxford was a docent at the Texas Energy Museum, conducting tours for school children. He delighted in teaching all children, especially his grandsons, about the oil business. He was a member of the organizing group for the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Spindletop. As a charter member of Trinity United Methodist Church, he was the first president of the Methodist Men. He was a member of Beaumont Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, and Tyrrell Library Association. Active in the Beaumont Camp Fire Girls Council, he was responsible for many improvements at Camp Niawana. Mr. Oxford was a past president of Beaumont A&M Club. He belonged to the Beaumont Country Club and the Petroleum Club in Dallas.
Mr. Oxford will be remembered for his optimistic spirit, his intellect, and his keen sense of humor. He loved his family, his two dogs, fishing, and most of all he loved to tell a good story.
Visitation to be held at 1 o’clock on Wednesday, 5, 2006 at Trinity United Methodist Church with the service beginning at 2 o’clock and the burial to follow at Magnolia Cemetery under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont.
Pallbearers are his grandsons, William Oxford Black,
Walter Scott Fortney IV, James Robert Black, Franklin Grant Fortney, John Milton Black and his nephew, Allan Lane Pinchback. Honorary pallbearers are Charles F. Adkins, Wayne W. Brown, junior, Mark Haney and members of the “Dun Workin” group.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Texas Energy Museum, 600 Main, Beaumont, Texas 77701, Trinity United Methodist Church, 3430 Harrison, Beaumont, Texas 77702 or one of the other organizations Mr. Oxford supported throughout his life. The family wishes to express many thanks to the caring staff at Memorial Hermann Baptist Beaumont Hospital.
Survivors are his beloved wife of sixty-four years, Nan Pinchback Oxford; his children, Judith Oxford Black and husband James, Jill Justine Fortney and husband Walter, William Franklin Oxford III and wife Jan; grandsons, William Oxford Black, Walter Scott Fortney IV and wife Courtney, James Robert Black and wife Lori, Franklin Grant Fortney and wife Lee, John Milton Black and wife Lou; great grandchildren, Walter Scott Fortney V, Tatum Powers Fortney, Virginia Claire Fortney, James Milton Black II, Tanner James Fortney, Marguerite Justine Fortney, and the anticipated birth of another great granddaughter in June; two step-grandsons; nieces and nephews; and his devoted friend, Margie Harvey.
