GSH Volunteer
With
over 100 events a year, the GSH offers unparalleled opportunities to volunteer and
network with like-minded people.
Outstanding GSH Volunteer
Bill Gafford was born and raised in Water Valley, Mississippi. After earning a B.Sc. in mathematics from the University of Mississippi, he went to work for Amoco in New Orleans. After spending a few years processing seismic data, Bill spent the next 12 years interpreting seismic data from Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico for exploration and development purposes. The next six years, Bill supervised Regional Geophysical Field Operations for land and marine operations in the Gulf of Mexico area. Then, Bill did 2D and 3D seismic interpretation for the next 11 years, again specializing in the Gulf of Mexico region. During that period, Bill and his family moved to Houston in 1989. After Amoco merged with BP, Bill spent the remainder of his career as a geohazards specialist. He coordinated work of various international and domestic contractors in the acquisition and preparation of marine geohazard surveys. Bill retired from BP Amoco in 2002 after 35 years of petroleum work.
Bill's professional volunteer efforts began while he was working in New Orleans as a member of the Southeastern Geophysical Society (SGS). Bill joined the Geophysical Society of Houston (GSH), which quickly began to benefit from Bill's magnanimous attitude when he was recruited to work on the Museum Committee by then Chairman, Bill Gilchrist. Though he has helped the GSH in many different capacities over the years, it is the Museum Committee that has proven to be one of Bill's greatest passions, and it is through the Museum Committee that the GSH has benefitted most from Bill Gafford.
Bill's contributions to the GSH certainly were not limited to his work with the Geoscience Center. Bill has been one of the leaders of the GSH for many years; he served as one of our Section Representatives for several years, 1st Vice President in 1993-94 and President in 1997-98. However, Bill's efforts for the GSH certainly did not end when these leadership positions were finished. Bill was a major contributor to the Geoscience Day co-sponsored by the GSH and HGS. Bill also helped lead the Interpretation SIG and the Environmental (or Near Surface) SIG. Another major focus of Bill's volunteer efforts is in helping the children of our community. It is impossible to give Bill adequate recognition for all his efforts, but Bill has been awarded a Lifetime Membership in the GSH for "exceptionally meritorious service" and has twice been awarded the Presidential Award for outstanding service. The GSH received an award from the ECH for his and Lisa Buckner’s efforts toward youth education.