William Ulric Sumner

William Ulric Sumner was born March 19, 1931 in Waco to Dump and Frankye Sumner. He grew up on a farm outside of Hillsboro and graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1948. After graduating from Texas Tech University in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and sent to the Eighth Army Headquarters, Quartermaster Section, Seoul, Korea as a petroleum lab specialist for two years.

After his tour of duty was up, he got a job working as a petroleum engineer for Seaboard Oil Company for six years and then worked for Murphy H. Baxter for over twenty years drilling many oil wells and building several oil pipeline gathering systems.

During this time, he was also involved with starting Mesa Pipeline Company and Wing Corporation. In 1981 he started Bethel Gas Company and about a year later Shawnee Pipeline Company. Bill retired in 1996 after more than forty years in the oil and gas business.

His hobbies included photography, traveling, flying his plane and building in his workshop. He also enjoyed ice cream and spending time with his dogs and his grandchildren. He was active in the Society of Petroleum Engineers and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

He died February 13, 2015, in Midland.

He was preceded in death by his parents Dump Burnham Sumner and Frankye Lee Woolsey Sumner, his brother James Dump Sumner and his wife of 49 years, Betty Whitmire Sumner.

Survivors include his daughter Sara Sumner Davidson of The Woodlands; his daughter Nancy Sumner Pannell and husband Jim of Midland; his son John Whitmire Sumner and wife Paige of Midland; his grandchildren Cutler William Davidson and Peter Walker Davidson, both of The Woodlands; James Callaway Pannell, Rachel Claire Pannell, Sumner Michael Pannell, Luke Elliott Pannell, Clara Avalyn Sumner and William Bryant Sumner, all of Midland; his sister Betsy Sumner Fry of Shawnee, Oklahoma; his niece Sue Sumner Kimble; and his nephews Collin Fry, Paul Fry, Preston Fry and Jim Fry.

A memorial service has been set for 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at First United Methodist Church in Midland with Rev. Macky Pitts officiating.

The family is grateful to the many health care professionals who helped during Bill’s prolonged hospital stay. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be directed to a charity of one’s choice.