William H. Courtier, 1926
B.S., Denison University
M.S., Colorado School of Mines
Ph.D., University of Kansas
Bartlesville, Okla.
Citation awarded on Saturday, June 6, 1959
A lifelong student of the variations in the earth’s sedimentary rocks which are important in the discovery of oil, Dr. William H. Courtier is recognized not only in his field for his skill and ingenuity as an interpreter of sub-surface data but also in his contributions to the life of his community.
Presently chief geophysicist of Phillips Petroleum Company, Dr. Courtier began his career as an assistant geologist for the Midwest Survey in southeastern Kansas and the Big Horn Basin of northwestern Wyoming before joining Phillips in 1935. Beginning as a seismic explorer, he headed the party which revealed the original data leading to the discovery of the present Midway oil field located in San Patricio County, Texas. He is the author of seven publications dealing mainly with the geology of Kansas.
