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Killam was born in Grove in Delaware County in northeastern [[Oklahoma]] to [[Oliver Winfield Killam]] and the former Harriet "Hattie" Smith (1876–1949). Oliver Killam was a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1911 to 1914 and the state Senate from 1915 to 1918. He worked for statehood of the former Oklahoma and Indian territories.<ref name=KillamCos>{{cite web|url=https://legacy.lib.utexas.edu/taro/utcah/02543.xml|title = History of the Killam Companies|publisher = The Killam Companies|accessdate=December 11, 2019}}</ref>​

Killam was born in Grove in Delaware County in northeastern [[Oklahoma]] to [[Oliver Winfield Killam]] and the former Harriet "Hattie" Smith (1876–1949). Oliver Killam was a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1911 to 1914 and the state Senate from 1915 to 1918. He worked for statehood of the former Oklahoma and Indian territories.<ref name=KillamCos>{{cite web|url=https://legacy.lib.utexas.edu/taro/utcah/02543.xml|title = History of the Killam Companies|publisher = The Killam Companies|accessdate=December 11, 2019}}</ref>​

Oliver Killam moved with his wife and three children, to Laredo in 1920, when Radcliffe was ten years of age. His father had come to south Texas to prospect for [[petroleum]] and [[natural gas]] on mineral leases that he had acquired while in business in Oklahoma. The third Killam well brought about an oil boom in Mirando City in eastern Webb County in 1921, nearly a decade before the better known East Texas Oil Boom centered about Kilgore.  Killam grew up in the oil fields and spent his summers on the rigs.<ref name=KillamCos /> He graduated in 1932 from Laredo High School, since named Martin High School. He played on the former Laredo [[polo]] team and was a consummate horseman, who never complained, even when being thrown from a horse.<ref name=leaves_mark>Tricia Cortez, "Killam leaves mark on city," ''Laredo Morning Times,''September 11, 2007.</ref> Killam graduated from the [[University of Texas at Austin]] and a [[Harvard Law School]].<ref name=LMTobit>Radcliffe Killam obituary, ''Laredo Morning Times,'' September 10, 2007.</ref>​

Oliver Killam moved with his wife and three children, to Laredo in 1920, when Radcliffe was ten years of age. His father had come to south Texas to prospect for [[petroleum]] and [[natural gas]] on mineral leases that he had acquired while in business in Oklahoma. The third Killam well brought about an oil boom in Mirando City in eastern Webb County in 1921, nearly a decade before the better known East Texas Oil Boom centered about Kilgore.  Killam grew up in the oil fields and spent his summers on the rigs.<ref name=KillamCos /> He graduated in 1932 from Laredo High School, since named Martin High School. He played on the former Laredo polo team and was a consummate horseman, who never complained, even when being thrown from a horse.<ref name=leaves_mark>Tricia Cortez, "Killam leaves mark on city," ''Laredo Morning Times,''September 11, 2007.</ref> Killam graduated from the [[University of Texas at Austin]] and a [[Harvard Law School]].<ref name=LMTobit>Radcliffe Killam obituary, ''Laredo Morning Times,'' September 10, 2007.</ref>​

After Harvard, Killam returned to Laredo to work with his father. In 1942, he enlisted in the [[United States Navy]]. He served first in the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] and then was the commanding officer of a [[PT boat]] in the [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]]. He left the Navy in 1945 with the rank of lieutenant commander.<ref name=LMTobit />​

After Harvard, Killam returned to Laredo to work with his father. In 1942, he enlisted in the [[United States Navy]]. He served first in the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] and then was the commanding officer of a [[PT boat]] in the [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]]. He left the Navy in 1945 with the rank of lieutenant commander.<ref name=LMTobit />​

After the war, Killam returned once again to Laredo with his wife, the former Sue Spivey (1919-2019) of [[Sam Rayburn]]'s Bonham in Fannin County in east Texas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/sue-killam-obituary?pid=194590719|title=Sue Killam obituary|publisher=''The Laredo Morning Times''|date=November 20, 2019|accessdate=December 11, 2019}}</ref> Killam resumed working in the oil business but found much time as well for his family and his community.<ref name=LMTobit/>​

After the war, Killam returned once again to Laredo with his wife, the former Sue Spivey (1919-2019) of [[Sam Rayburn]]'s Bonham in Fannin County in east Texas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/sue-killam-obituary?pid=194590719|title=Sue Killam obituary|publisher=''The Laredo Morning Times''|date=November 20, 2019|accessdate=December 11, 2019}}</ref> Killam resumed working in the oil business but found much time as well for his family and his community.<ref name=LMTobit/>​

In 1947, Oliver Killam purchased the 80,000-acre Ortiz Ranch, which Radcliffe continued to develop. He founded the Mil Ojos ("Thousand Eyes") Hunting Club on his ranch. He was one of the first landowners in Texas to implement a game management program. He was instrumental in the creation of Lake Casa Blanca as a [[reservoir]] for the City of Laredo and gave an easement for much of the land that it covers.<ref name=leaves_mark /> The lake is now a part of Lake Casa Blanca International State Park, operated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/lake_casa_blanca/ | title = Lake Casa Blanca International State Park | work = State Parks & Destinations | publisher =Texas Parks and Wildlife Department | date=February 9, 2007|accessdate=February 12, 2008}}</ref>​

In 1947, Oliver Killam purchased the 80,000-acre Ortiz Ranch, which Radcliffe continued to develop. He founded the Mil Ojos ("Thousand Eyes") Hunting Club on his ranch. He was one of the first landowners in Texas to implement a game management program. He was instrumental in the creation of Lake Casa Blanca as a [[reservoir]] for the City of Laredo and gave an easement for much of the land that it covers.<ref name=leaves_mark /> The lake is now a part of Lake Casa Blanca International State Park, operated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/lake_casa_blanca/ |title=Lake Casa Blanca International State Park | work = State Parks & Destinations | publisher =Texas Parks and Wildlife Department | date=February 9, 2007|accessdate=February 12, 2008}}</ref>​

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Killam was the director of the Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, renamed the Texas Oil & Gas Association, the Independent Petroleum Association of America, the All-American Wildcatters Association, and the Southwest Research Institute. He was also a director of Alamo National Bank.<ref name=leaves_mark />​

Killam was the director of the Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, renamed the Texas Oil & Gas Association, the Independent Petroleum Association of America, the All-American Wildcatters Association, and the Southwest Research Institute. He was also a director of Alamo National Bank.<ref name=leaves_mark />​