J.W. "Bill" McLean

J. W. “Bill” McLean passed away Thursday, in Dallas, Texas, at the age of 92. Bill was born on April 2, 1922 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma and grew up in Muskogee, Oklahoma with his parents, Lawrence White McLean and Margaret McGill McLean, and his brother, George. He was president of his high school student body, the band and was a state champion debater. At the University of Oklahoma, he was undefeated in collegiate debate, president of his fraternity and the ROTC’s ranking cadet colonel. While at school, he fell in love with Eleanor Jane Johnson of Ponca City, Oklahoma, and they were married just after graduation in 1943. Shortly thereafter, Bill served in the Army for three years, finishing number one in his class of field artillery officer candidates at Fort Sill, participated in four World War II major battles in the European theater, won a battlefield promotion to Captain and was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor under fire.

Bill’s father was president of a bank in Muskogee, Oklahoma and Bill’s 40 years of banking included 26 as a CEO. He began his banking career at the First National Bank of Tulsa, and, at the age of 36, he was named President/CEO of Texas National Bank in Houston. This bank later merged with the National Bank of Commerce to become Texas Commerce Bank. He also served as Bank of America’s first Director of Marketing and was responsible for the nationwide licensing of what is now VISA card. He returned to Oklahoma City with his family in 1967 to serve as CEO of Liberty National Bank for 20 years, during which time it grew from the state’s fourth largest to its largest bank. In 1972, he was recognized by Finance Magazine as “Regional Banker of the Year.” He also served as President of the Federal Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve System and Chairman of the Board of Allied Bank International, which was the nation’s largest EDGE Act Bank. Bill loved banking, working in the community and celebrating the many successes of his employees.

Outside of banking, Bill was on the board of directors for four decades of Reading & Bates Corporation, which became one of the world’s largest offshore drilling contractors. Additionally, he provided volunteer leadership for many civic organizations, including the Oklahoma City Chamber, Oklahoma University, Oklahoma City University and the Oklahoma Heritage Association. He was a lifetime Trustee Advisor of the Rice University Board of Trustees. Bill also served as President of River Oaks Country Club, Oklahoma City Country Club and was the founding Chairman of Oak Tree Golf Club in Edmond, Oklahoma. In 1975, he received the University of Oklahoma’s highest recognition (Distinguished Service Citation). In 1976, he was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame and in 1980 he received a doctorate in Commercial Science from Oklahoma City University.

Bill always had a great sense of humor and he loved creating humor for his family, friends and business colleagues. He was an active wordsmith writing many "owed’s" that have been treasured by all. His sense of humor and love for writing made him a frequently requested master of ceremonies for a wide range of events. He loved golf and he served on the Executive Committee of the United States Golf Association. He especially enjoyed playing with his family. He played tennis, ping pong and badminton over the years as well. After retiring, he authored ten books. “So You Want to be the Boss” made Prentice Hall’s best-selling titles list and “Leadership - Magic, Myth or Method” was used on several college campuses. Bill and Eleanor were life-long Presbyterians.

Like all, Bill encountered obstacles over the years. His family notes that perhaps one of his most enduring legacies was that he faced life's challenges without complaint. His optimism and determination were gifts to us.

Bill is survived by his wife of 71 years, Eleanor Johnson McLean, his children, Margo Beasley and her son Mark Parker, Larry McLean and his wife Marci and daughter, Meredith, Scott McLean and his wife Anna and their children, Kate, Peter and David, his niece, Barbara McLean, and cousins Bill Coleman, Julie Coleman, Margie Becker and Marty Batey.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 31, at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Rd., Houston, TX, with a graveside service at Glenwood Cemetery to follow. Pallbearers are Mark Parker, Bill Coleman, Peter McLean, David McLean, Mark Spradling and Frank Merrick. The family would like to express their appreciation to the skilled nursing staff of Presbyterian Village North in Dallas and Pastor Brent Ashby. In lieu of flowers, the family would request any donations be directed to Presbyterian Village North (Dallas, Texas), Hospice or St. Martin’s Episcopal Church.