Ben Gill Clements' Obituary
CLEMENTS, BEN GILL was born October 13, 1941, in Dallas, Texas, to Pauline Gill Clements and William Perry Clements, Jr. He grew up in Dallas, but began his love of outdoors at a young age in scouting, weekends at Coon Creek Club, and fishing and hunting trips with his father. Gill often had baby coons, alligators, and owls he was caring for at his home. Once a month Gill and his Dad went camping and Gill became an Eagle Scout before he turned 13. After graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School, Gill attended SMU and joined Phi Delta Theta fraternity where he made many lifelong friends. He graduated in 1963 with a degree in Finance and joined the training program at the First National Bank of Dallas. In October of 1963, Gill married Patricia Lindall of San Antonio, and by 1969 they had 3 children, Cathy, Bill and Peg. In 1968, Gill joined SEDCO, the offshore drilling company his father had founded, and he served as its Treasurer for 4 years before becoming President and CEO in 1973. In 1983, B. Gill Clements was named outstanding Chief Executive Officer in the Offshore Drilling Industry. At that time SEDCO was the largest offshore drilling company in the world. After SEDCO was purchased by Schlumberger, Gill retired from the drilling business, and from 1985 to present he began a new career as an active and successful investor across numerous investment disciplines. Gill was an outdoorsman throughout his life, hunting with his Dad and his son in British Columbia and Africa, and fishing with friends and family in Alaska, Maine, East Texas, and Michigan. Gill was always eager to teach others ways to enjoy the outdoors. He was a keen observer of wildlife and plants, sharing his delight in nature. His sporting legacy will be his beloved Hollyglen property near Athens, Texas, where he built two significant lakes and spent much of his time and energy the last 15 years. Gill’s sense of humor, mischievousness, and ability to tell and enjoy a good story enlivened his family time and his friendships. He was an independent person who accepted and fulfilled his responsibilities while enthusiastically pursuing the activities he enjoyed: reading, summers in Michigan, golf, planning fishing weekends, getting a unique boat constructed to go after a specific kind of fish, supporting Pat’s horse related activities, and playfully teasing with his grandchildren. He was a devoted and loving son to his parents throughout his life. Gill’s quiet strength and unwavering sense of objectivity and calm in speaking with others was unique as was his ability to come up with creative solutions to problems. Gill is survived by his wife, Pat, with whom he shared a loving marriage of 47 years; his children Cathy Matthews and husband Buzz, Bill Clements and wife Gigi, and Margaret Napier and husband Jeff; his father Governor William Perry Clements, Jr.; his grandchildren, America, Pauline, Cate, Gill, Perry, Emily and Will; his sister Nancy Clements Seay; many friends in Texas and Michigan and his associates at the Cumberland Hill School Building. His absence creates a huge void in many lives. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, October 27, 2010, at 4pm, at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, 8011 Douglas Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75225. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Pauline Allen Gill Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s Medical Center Foundation, 2777 Stemmons Frwy., Ste 700, Dallas, Texas 75207.
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