William (Bill) H. Crawford
William (Bill) H. Crawford
“Oklahoma’s history of economic development has been written by many people, but none have done better than Bill Crawford.”
Biography
Oklahoma native William H. “Bill” Crawford graduated from Frederick High School in 1956, and went on to attend Cameron University, Austin College, and Oklahoma State University. After serving in the Army National Guard, Crawford returned to Oklahoma in 1970 as chairman of the First National Bank and began his campaign for the economic renewal of Frederick and southwest Oklahoma. As its chairman and CEO, First Southwest Corporation grew under Crawford’s leadership from 1988 to 2000. Since 2001, he served as chairman of the Lawton, Hobart, and Frederick branches of BancFirst and has served on the boards of many state and national organizations. He received the Oklahoma Economics Development Volunteer of the Year Award by Governor George Nigh. Crawford also served for 16 years as a member and chairman of the Mountain Park Master Conservancy District Board and was a vital element through which the Tom Steed Reservoir, a much needed water supply for southwest Oklahoma, was constructed.
Fun fact
Bill Crawford, an innovative and committed wildlife conservationist, spearheaded one of the most ambitious wetland restoration projects ever undertaken – the $10 million Huckberry Flat Wetland Restoration Project – to restore 7,200 acres of natural wetland basin. Crawford’s many years of effort in wildlife conservation were recognized when he received the 2001 Alexander Calder Conservation Award in Washington, D.C.
Oklahoma connections
Crawford was born in Frederick, Oklahoma.