16 MARCH 2025 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Chad, Justin, & Stacey talk mud for Baroid IDP. Matt was on hand for Gulf Coast Sand. Ron from Service Wire Co. ESI Supply’s Robert & Logan. WWDR’s Troy & Marie . . . . . . wheeling away his prize! . . . are always happy to help. This is just a sneak peak ~ visit www.worldwidedrillingresource.com/gallery.html for more photos online! A great team for WPS. Tom was there from Drill Pipe Inc. Adam & Vickie for Hole Products. BINGO game in progress . . . Brian for CETCO®. During the Louisiana Ground Water Association (LGWA) 2025 Convention & Trade Show, Executive Director Terry Suire presented the recent former Executive Director Joel Walton with a special Thank-You plaque for his many years of service. Terry’s wife Kelly had a gift for Joel’s wife Linda whose help has been invaluable over the years. Terry also presented Donald “Donnie” Dees of Westro Water Well Company, of Jennings, Louisiana, a framed special recognition certificate from the Office of Conservation for the Department of Energy and Natural Resources of Louisiana for his years of service as a water well drilling contractor from 1969 through 1989 ~ his license number is 003! Terry explained how “Mr. Don” took them under his wing, willingly sharing his knowledge, giving his wisdom and insight so Terry and Kelly were able to continue Glenn Billeaud Pump and Water Well Service after her father, then mother passed away. A short history of Westro: The company was formed by Wallace Stroud, W.D. Wesley, and Carl Dees, in March 1969; the first well was drilled on April 12, 1969. Carl Dees was born in 1927, and graduated from Jennings High School. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. In 1947, he married Jeanne Robinson and they had six children: Donald, Karli, George, Kathryn, Karolyn, and Kristie. Before beginning Westro, Carl worked for Hunt Tool Company and B.D. Howard Water Well. Carl and son Donnie bought out the others in September 1970. Donnie was born in 1948, and also graduated from Jennings High School, then from McNeese State. After a couple of years, he decided to join his father in the drilling business full time, although he had worked there part time since 1964. In 1977, Donnie successfully gained his mud rotary and pump installation certification. The following year, he was elected to the Board of the Louisiana Water Well Association (now the LGWA). He became President three years later, in addition to being appointed by the Governor of Louisiana to the Water Well Driller’s Licensing Board in 1981. Donnie married Vickie Trahan in March of 1973. Carl’s son George became a partner in 1972. Born in 1953, he also attended McNeese State, then gained his certification in 1979. Other family members who worked for Westro were Kathryn as secretary beginning in 1973, and Karolyn in 1978. The company originally purchased a 1969 Mayhew 1000 rig and added a 1950 Mayhew rig in 1973, to help with the workload. In 1976, the company purchased a third rig, a Bucyrus-Erie 10R. Then in 1980, they traded the two Mayhew rigs for a new diesel Mayhew 1000, then sold the 10R rig. Also in their arsenal, was a 1979 Smeal 5T pump hoist. The company had completed over 3000 wells by 1981. The Dees are very proud of the people who worked for their company ~ they believe the employees were the ones who made the company what it was. Highlights from the LGWA 2025 Convention & Trade Show
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