Walker Taylor

 

Walker Taylor was born in Edmonton in 1890. He graduated from Trinity College School in Port Hope, Ontario and attended the University of Alberta and McGill. On his return to Canada after WWI, Walker started his career in the oil business with a small independent outfit in Wainwright, Alberta as a tooldresser and floorman. In 1919, he signed on with Imperial Oil and was placed in charge of drilling requirements for the western provinces.

 

Mr. Taylor spent time in Peru with International Petroleum in 1923, and returned to Imperial Oil, in Turner Valley, five years later. His reputation for getting things done made him the logical choice for field superintendent at Norman Wells in 1942, during the Canol era.

 

Four years later he moved to Calgary to head Imperial's producing department. Leduc-Woodbend, Redwater, and Golden Spike were all discovered during this exciting period of Alberta's oil industry and the producing department grew from a stripling to a giant under his leadership.

 

Walker retired in 1952, following a period of ill health, and moved to Sidney, B.C., where he passed away in 1960.

 

Career Summary:

• 1919 Began his career with Imperial Oil Ltd.
• 1923 International Petroleum, Peru.
• 1942 Field Superintendent, Norman Wells, Imperial Oil Ltd.
• 1946 Head-Producing Department, Imperial Oil Ltd., Western Division.
• 1952 Retired from Imperial Oil Ltd.