He grew up in Pawhuska and after graduation from Pawhuska High School in 1943 he was drafted into the Army and joined the Army Specialized Training Program. He took basic training in Ft. Benning, Georgia and was assigned to Arkansas State College in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
In 1944 the ASTP program was abandoned and these men were used to fill out the depleted infantry divisions of World War II. Many of the ASTP personnel, including Bill, were sent to Camp Maxey, Texas for advanced training with the 99th Infantry Division before being sent overseas.
In September 1944 the Division arrived at LeHavre three months after the "D Day" invasion. Men and Equipment were trucked across France into Belgium where they moved to the front line. The front was fairly quiet until December 16th when the Germans launched a massive attack, the Battle of the Bulge. After artillery and infantry assaults into their line positions the 99th Division withdrew to Elsenborn Ridge, which was held for many weeks in spite of recurring German attacks. Months later 99th Division troops crossed the Rhine River and fought their way into Germany until the surrender in May 1945. Bill's memories of these experiences were recounted in his wartime memoirs. He enjoyed attending 99th Division reunions and renewing friendships with wartime buddies.
He returned to the U.S. in February 1946 and enrolled in the summer session of the University of Michigan before transferring to O.U. in the fall. He joined Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and was admitted to Phi Beta Kappa and Pe-et honorary societies. He received degrees in mathematics and chemical engineering. In the fall of 1950 he enrolled at M.I.T. where he received an M.S. degree in chemical engineering.
His first job was with Stanolind Oil and Gas Company in Tulsa where he remained until 1969, working both at the Research Center and at the downtown office where he was involved in Operations Research.
In 1969 he and a partner, Charles Dees, formed Computing and Information Sciences Corp. CISCO became a processor of bank credit cards primarily generated from oil companies. CISCO later established branches in Atlanta and San Francisco. In 1978 the company was purchased by First National Bank of Atlanta, and later by National Data Corporation.
In 1982 Bill, with a group of investors, started Western Information Systems which began computerizing Oklahoma county land records for use in the oil and gas industry. This business was discontinued in 1986 following the slump in energy prices.
In the mid 1980's Bill began writing a computer-based Market Price System to analyze the price of stocks, commodities and other free market entities. He continued working in this project until health problems led to his retirement in 2001.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Ann Henry Lake; his children: Elizabeth and Manuel Rodriguez of Denver, CO; Susan Marie Lake of San Francisco, CA; Stephen W. and Leslie Lake of Tulsa; Grandchildren: Lauren and Catherine Rodriguez, Alexis and Jocelyn Lake; his nephew: David Howell of Dallas, TX. Preceded in death by his sister: Helene Lake Howell.
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