William G Skelly

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The Legend of William G. Skelly
William G. Skelly, also known as Bill Skelly, made waves in the oil and aviation industry with his many accomplishments and contributions. From founding the Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology to organizing the first International Petroleum Exposition Skelly has carved his name in history as being one of the giants in the oil industry as well as a great leader and entrepreneur. From early on Skelly showed tremendous dedication and work ethic to become the man that he was. With the anniversary of his passing vastly approaching, I would like to honor him by talking about his life and some of many accomplishments he made to both the aviation and oil industry.
William G. Skelly was born to Irish and English …show more content…

Paul Getty. Due to the Great Depression, Skelly fell into hard times. The company, in efforts to cut cost, transferred some of their employees to Tidewater Associated Oil Company, under the control of J. Paul Getty. The employees were later transferred back to Skelly, but the Getty’s made a cash loan, giving Skelly Oil, held stock, and some of Mr. Skelly’s stock as collateral for the loan. The company was unable to repay the loan, so the stock was transferred to Mission Corporation. Coincidently, the holding company that the stocks were transferred to were the same company that controlled Tidewater, owned by the Gettys. Skelly remained CEO until his untimely death in 1957. The Skelly Oil Company was later merged into the Getty Oil Company in 1977 and soon after the Skelly brands were discontinued. All of the Skelly gas stations were renamed to Getty.
Although the Skelly Oil Company had its hard times, it wasn’t all bad. Skelly Oil was one of the early leaders in off shore drilling and a pioneer of LPG products which established a role in conversion and fuel fabrication in the nuclear power. They also were among the first to develop a network of truck stops along major highways and, uniquely, offered a credit card to its female customers, in the shade of light …show more content…

In 1928 he purchased the Mid-Continent Aircraft Company and reorganized it as the Spartan Aircraft Company. Located near Tulsa Municipal Airport in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Spartan Aircraft Company operated until 1961 manufacturing aircrafts, aircraft components, and recreational vehicle trailers. The Spartan aircrafts were known for their stable and sturdy construction. The company hit hard times in the 1930s because of the great depression, but that didn’t stop the company from flourishing. In the 1930s and 1940s the company started manufacturing several models of aircrafts including the Spartan Executive. Most notable for its sleek, low-wing cabin designed, this aircraft was designed as a corporate aircraft. The Spartan Executive would be an augury for business aircrafts for later

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