A centennial milestone: Ormond in the Pines celebrates residents' 100th birthday with parade

Two of the three residents celebrating their birthday are World War II veterans.

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Four residents turning 100 years old or older at Ormond in the Pines in the next six weeks, and three of them were honored on Saturday, June 27, with a car parade of friends, family and Ormond Beach first responders. 

The three residents — Frank James Taylor, William Bilt and Margaret England —  were recognized by Ormond Beach Mayor Bill Partington and Florida Rep. Tom Leek, whose mother is also a resident at the independent and assisted living community. Taylor and Bilt, both World War II veterans were presented with a proclamation and a key to the city by Partington, who promised England she'd get hers closer to her 102nd birthday on July 29. 

Taylor, originally from Michigan, will turn 100 years old on July 17. He served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army in the Pacific Ocean from 1942 to 1946. He moved to Orlando in 1968 and worked for Southern Bell for 43 years, according to the mayor's proclamation. He and his late wife Winifred were married for 43 years, and Taylor now has two granddaughters and two great-grandchildren. He still drives a car and takes himself to all of his medical appointments. He is the third oldest resident at Ormond in the Pines and has lived there for the past three years.

Wilt, a Pennsylvania native, turned 100 years old on June 15. He served as a sergeant in the U.S Army in Okinawa, Japan from 1942 to 1946. He and his late wife Terry were married for 38 years and had three daughters, according to the mayor's proclamation. He later married his second late wife Marjorie and gained two stepsons; now, he has eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Wilt remains active and enjoys bowling, card games and putt-putt golf. He also dresses up for Halloween each year. He is the second oldest person at Ormond in the Pines and has lived there for the last eight years.

Having four residents who are reaching, or surpassing, their centennial birthday within weeks of each other is something to be celebrated, said Michelle Hanner, executive director for Ormond in the Pines. That wasn't something that she saw often when she entered her role.

"We feel very honored and blessed to have them here," she said.

 

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