MILDRED SNEAD AND RICHARD SORRELLSOF MADISON AND WALTON COUNTY, GEORGIACompiled by Thelma Faye Cain Prince, © Copyright 1998 |
302 WILLIAM BENJAMIN 6 SORRELLS (Thomas W. 5, Wm. Benjamin4 ,Wiley3 William 2, Richard) was born 24 August 1912, Gwinnett County, Georgia, and died 18 September 1999, Huntington Beach, California. He married (1) GLORIA ELEANOR WIRTZ (b. 6 Oct. 1915, Wabun, Mn; d. Jan. 1939, Long Beach, Ca.), daughter of Gail English and James A. Wirtz.
He married (2) NAOMI ELIZABETH DIEHL (b. 11 Nov. 1906, Twin Falls, Idaho; d. 10 Nov. 1962, Laguna Beach, Orange Co. Ca.), daughter of Lillian Gertrude Whitehead and Dr. Charles Diehl, M.D. He married Naomi, 8 June 1941, Orange County, California. Naomi was a graduate of UCLA, a model, writer, and art illustrator.
William Benjamin Sorrells received his education in the public schools of Gwinnett County and Atlanta. After getting his mother's written permission, he joined the navy at age 15. He served in the U.S. Naval Aviation Force for six years (ca. 1927-1933), and was honorably discharged with medals in conduct and leadership and proficiency:. He had special training at the U.S. Aviation School, including work at Northwestern University. He served as an instructor at the U.S. Aviation School, and taught various adult courses at the Santa Ana Junior College in California. He was certified in the California Adult Education system, lecturing in various state colleges and universities. In 1955, he was invited by the Secretary of the Navy to tour and inspect Naval Air installations, ashore and afloat, including the Naval Aviation training program.
For the last few years 1990-1997, Ben had lived in Costa Mesa, Ca. and the last two years in Huntington Beach (1997-1999) and before that for many years in Newport Beach, Ca. Prior to that, he lived in Laguna Beach where he raised his family. He had lived in California since he married (1) GLORIA ELEANOR WIRTZ on 3 September 1932, Long Beach.
Ben was a licensed real estate broker, specializing in creative commercial, and industrial real estate leasing. Formerly, he was in several businesses, chiefly food markets, variety stores, hotel-motel, real estate development and construction, restaurants, credit services, mining companies, and the general practice of real estate. He was a member of many professional business associations, including Orange Empire Stores, Market Employer's Council, American Hotel, Laguna Beach Board of Realtors, National Association of Small Businesses, National Association of Realtors, and California Association of Realtors.
In civic affairs, Ben was also very active. He was formerly Mayor of Laguna Beach, director of the Chamber of Commerce, Laguna Beach Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters, and the Laguna Beach Community Playhouse. He was also a member of the Optimist Club,and former Chairman of Board of Governors, Navy League of the United States. He was formerly a member of State Shoreline Planning Board, and director of the Orange County Coast Association. He was elected realtor of the year in 1957 for outstanding service to the community and to the real estate profession.
Ben was a member of the Community Presbyterian Church, Laguna Beach, where he was chairman during the major development and building of the present church. He was a former member of the Board of Trustees, and a leader in youth and young adult activites, and president of the church school.
Ben was a Master Mason and member of the
Elks Lodge. He belonged to the Laguna Beach Lodge No. 672,
F.&A.M. He became Master in 1940, Officers Coach this lodge, plus two
others. In 1939, he was appointed to a committee of the Grand Lodge of
F.&A.M. of California while Senior Warden of his lodge, and served as
Committeeman or Grand Officer until 1966, 6 years as Inspector, and 10
years as Assistant Grand Lecturer. In 1979, he became Head Candidates
Coach and Chairman of Education Committee. He was in 1983 Chairman
of Foreign Relations for Grand Lodge of California, and served as consultant,
panelist, and speaker.
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William Benjamin Sorrells |
Ben was a member of Santa Ana Chapter No. 73, Royal Arch Masons, Santa Ana Council, No. 14, Royal and Select Masters, Santa Ana Commandery No. 36, Knights Templar (York Rite of Freemasonry), where he was honorary Past Grand Commander. Ben was a member of Valley of Long Beach, Orient of California (Scottish Rite of Freemasonry), where he was Knight Commander of the Court of Honor, 1965, Degree Master 11th degree, Captain of the Guard of Long Beach Consistory, and Chairman of Advisory Board for the aphasia program. He was elected to 33rd degree by the Supreme Council, 15 October 1979. This is the highest honor of this organization.
Ben was a member of the Ancient and Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Order of DeMolay, Jobs Daughters, Order of the Eastern Star, Royal Order of Scotland, Red Cross of Constantine, Southern California Research Lodge, and a former member of Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076.
Ben certainly distinguished himself in the service of his community, and the whole family is very proud of him. Information on this family came from Ben and his son, William Benjamin Sorrells, Jr. in August 1997. A memorial service for Ben, Sr. will be held in October, 1999.
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Gloria Wirtz Sorrells |
Wm. Benjamin Sorrells |
Naomi Diehl Sorrells |
*****
ISSUE OF (1) GLORIA ELEANOR WIRTZ and WILLIAM
BENJAMIN 6SORRELLS
Seventh Generation
+365 WILLIAM BENJAMIN 7, Jr., b. 30 Sept. 1933, Vallejo, Napa Co., Ca; m. (1) ANNE ELIZABETH BENTZ (b, 23 Dec. 1933, Winchester, Va.), 6 July 1961, Martinsburg, W.V. He m. (2) TERRY JEAN O'NEAL (b. 6 Oct. 1948, Baltimore, Md.).
+366 VIRGINIA GALE, b. 3 Feb. 1937, Long Beach, Ca; m. (1) LAWRENCE CANTRELL (b. 1931, Mobile, Al.). She m. (2) RICHARD SUMMERVILLE BROWN (b. 31 May 1931, New York City, N.Y.).
ISSUE
OF (2) NAOMI ELIZABETH DIEHL and WILLIAM BENJAMIN 6SORRELLS
Seventh Generation
367 DAVID WARREN 7, b. 29 June 1946, Santa Ana, Orange Co.,Ca; m. SONJA YVONNE MEIJER (b. 6 Dec. 1949, Java, Indonesia). No issue. Divorced. David lives in Los Angeles, and is a real estate appraiser for the city.
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David, Virginia, Elvetta, Faye
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368 ELVETTA RUTH 7 , b. 19 March 1950, Santa Ana, Orange Co. Ca; m.
TOMMY R. MAYS (b.12 May 1949, Hastings, Nb.), on 1 Sept. 1972, Tustin,
Ca. She is a newspaper distributor and he is a machinest (precision
grinder). They divorced. She is living in Texas now..
Issue: SHANNON MARIE 8 , b. 7 Jan.
1974 m. JASON HORUTZ, NOVA NAOMI 8, b. 1 Feb. 1977, DEVIN RAY 8, b. 5
Aug. 1980, and T.J.
8 MAYS, b. 15 Jan. 1988.