Mr. Orville S. celebrated a big birthday bash at Legacy Oaks of Midlothian on October 25.
Orville, a beloved member of the Midlothian community and longtime volunteer with The Salvation Army, turned 98. This significant milestone was commemorated with a lively event featuring special tributes and heartfelt memories.
Orville was born on October 25, 1926, in Temple, Oklahoma, to Jim and Maggie. He grew up in a close-knit family with three brothers and three sisters, and his youngest sister, who also lives in Midlothian, is still with us today.
In 1943, at just 17, Orville enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he proudly served during the Korean Conflict in the Aleutian Islands. After his military service, he pursued a path of spiritual leadership. In 1946, Orville attended The Salvation Army College for Officers Training (The Salvation Army’s seminary) in Atlanta, Georgia, where he was ordained as a Salvation Army Officer (pastor). This was the beginning of a life of ministry and service.
During a military leave, Orville met Bette Clara W., and they married in November 1947. Together, they shared an incredible 74 years of marriage and raised three daughters. Bette passed away in 2020, but their legacy of love and service remains. Orville and Bette faithfully served as Salvation Army Officers, touching lives throughout the southern United States. After their retirement in 1992, they settled in DeSoto, Texas.
In addition to his service with The Salvation Army, Orville was a Chaplain for the Civil Air Patrol, where he continued to share his faith and passion for service with fellow patrol members across the South.
Orville’s life has been filled with not only service but also cherished hobbies. He enjoys woodworking, gardening, and solving crossword puzzles. A lifelong aviation enthusiast, Orville can often be found at the small airport in Midlothian, where he loves watching planes take off and land. His family continues to grow, and he is the proud grandfather of six grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.
“We were excited to celebrate Orville’s 98th birthday,” said Melissa Basham, Executive Director of Legacy Oaks of Midlothian. “Orville’s dedication to our community, his resilience, and his unshakable faith inspire everyone who knows him. This celebration honored his extraordinary life, and we hope it showed him how much he means to all of us.”
