2014 Distinguished Alumni Honoree
Mr. William Ramsay, ’61
Bill Ramsay graduated from high school in 1961 after spending two years at OMA, achieving the rank of Master Sergeant. He later graduated from The University of Tulsa with a bachelor’s degree in business management.
Bill began his 40-year career in telecommunications at Southwestern Bell, working in the mailroom while attending college. After graduation, he held many different positions in Oklahoma and in St. Louis including sales, technical support and marketing.
He then joined AT&T at the time of the breakup of the Bell System. In 1986, Bill was hired by WilTel, a subsidiary of The Williams Companies in Tulsa at the time of the rapid growth and development stages of WilTel and WorldCom.
During this time, he worked with a team of executives in planning and executing several acquisitions, along with negotiating large domestic and international customer contracts. The company was ultimately acquired by Verizon, and he retired from there in 2007 as Director of Wholesale Accounts, responsible for a sales and technical support group with an annual revenue base of $300 million, including several top 10 global accounts.
Since leaving Verizon, Ramsay has been developing a portrait and event photography business, and has also been engaged in the development of an internet marketing company.
Bill has been involved in civic and community activities for many years including the United Way, Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Junior Achievement and the Adopt-a-School program. He has also been very active in the Oklahoma Military Academy Alumni Association, serving as President of the Board of Directors for the past three years.
Bill and his wife Deann reside in Tulsa and have three children and four grandchildren.