Geologist and community leader, proud to call Midland homeMarch 30, 2021

On December 23, 2020 the City of Midland lost an ardent leader and volunteer, and Midland College lost a long-time member of the Midland College Board of Trustees.  

Will Green described himself as a “lifelong geologist.”  His roots in the oil business began at age 7 as he followed his father to the oil fields.  When the time came to choose a college major, Green couldn’t decide between geology and petroleum engineering, so he earned Bachelor of Science degrees in both from Texas A&M University in 1953.  He then received a master’s degree in geology from the University of Texas in 1955.

Born in San Angelo, TX in 1931 to parents who both had obtained master’s degrees in the 1920’s, it seemed only fitting that Green would excel in his studies, earning many awards and scholarships.  

As his profession dictated, Green lived in Colorado, New Mexico and Texas.  Green first came to Midland in 1966 with his wife Marianne and his two daughters, Elizabeth and Susan, when Shell Oil transferred him from Roswell, NM.  Seven years later, Green was then transferred to Houston where he later took a senior geologist position with GeoQuest International.  Coinciding with a return to Midland in the late 1970’s, Green became Division Exploration Manager for Energy Reserves Group/BHP Petroleum. It was during this time that significant oil and gas reserves within southeastern New Mexico were discovered.  Prior to becoming an Independent Consultant in 1989, Green also held a division geologist position with Forest Oil Corporation.  

Green wrote and contributed to a number of scientific papers, mostly regarding the geology of southeastern New Mexico and the Kerr Basin in central Texas.  His insight and creative thinking have helped unravel some of the geologic mysteries of those complex provinces.  He also has published numerous field studies and abstracts. 

As a strong advocate of professionalism, Green was very active in a number of professional organizations, especially the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG). At the local level, Green was president of the West Texas Geological Society, chairman of the West Texas Geology Foundation and president of the Permian Basin Section of the Society for Sedimentary Geology.  

Although Green’s career spanned 3 states, he chose to return to Midland. 

He is quoted as saying, “Midland is a great place to do business, especially in the oil business where we have the opportunity to network with other people and deal with them face to face without having a long commute.” 

Perhaps most importantly, he gave credit to Midland’s increasing cultural wealth which coincided with the opportunity to “make a difference where there are friendly people.”

Green also gave of himself to his community.  He served on the Midland College Board of Trustees for 24 years (1996-2020).  During his service on the board, Midland College saw tremendous growth including numerous building additions and capital improvements, expansion of associate degrees and workforce certificates available for Midland citizens and establishment of a branch campus in Ft. Stockton as well as additional college facilities throughout Midland.

Green was also a past director of the Midland Energy Library, past commissioner of the City of Midland Planning and Zoning Commission and served as District Court Grand Jury Foreman in 1989.

His family said that Green enjoyed many things about living in Midland.  In addition to being a passionate tennis player and lover of the outdoors, Green enjoyed visiting the Petroleum Museum and Museum of the Southwest, and having lunch and dinner with friends at the Petroleum Club.

Green’s daughters remembered him saying repeatedly, “Education is the key to people being able to have a better life,” and his dedication and service to Midland College certainly proves his passion to see that higher education was made available to all in the Midland community.

“Not only was Will an interested and involved board member, but also participated in many college activities,” Midland College President Steve Thomas remembered.  “He and his wife Marianne attended many of our lecture and performing arts events, as well as student-recognition events.  He was always very interested in student accomplishments, especially in our science area.  Will served Midland College well, and the college benefitted greatly from his leadership."