WPHS Alums Class of 1961 Then and Now

Beecher, Elizabeth Jeanne . . . "Ducky" Beecher chose Stephen Boyd to be shipwrecked with. He'd better like steak or he and Jeanne just won't get along. Jeanne, born in Lansing, MI, enjoys horseback riding and swimming. She also makes a lot of her own clothes. Jeanne's future includes work, but she doesn't know what she'll do.
Source: WPHS Senior Salutes, 1961.

Happiest memory: It's been so long ago now I can't think of one in particular. Maybe some of the teachers that helped me, Coach Mosher, Mr. Orr and Mr. Rasmussen.
Present work and/or activities: Work part time at Lutheran Hospital in O.P. Admitting as ward clerk-admitting clerk for last eleven years. Also own a craft business; make plush animal lamps.
Bio: Moved to Colorado in September of 1961 with my first husband. Had two sons, Scott and Gregg. Divorced after seven years. Remarried in 1968 to my present husband and inherited two stepchildren, Curtis and Nancie. My husband adopted my boys and then we had a daughter, Julie. Have been happily married and busy raising kids. Now all are grown and out on their own. Three are married, one is divorced, and one is single. I went to trade schools over the years for banking, which I was in for a number of years and ward clerk for a hospital, which I am doing now.
Future plans and goals: Hope to retire in the next year and travel around the country, doing craft shows and enjoying life.
Source: 30th Reunion 1991.

Click HERE to read more from Jeanne.

Click HERE to read more (updated 1/5/2010) from Jeanne.

Jeanne has five children and eleven grandchildren; her favorite teacher is Mr. Orr because he was like a drill sergeant and would think up funny and dramatic disciplines for unruly students. Jeanne lists her hobbies as golf, scrap booking, working on genealogy, story telling/writing stories and quilting. Her favorite sports are golf, fishing, line dancing and bowling. Her favorite vacation or vacation spot is listed as Oregon Coast or anywhere there are lighthouses to visit. On her bucket list is hot air balloon ride, cruise to Alaska, have a story published and be a lighthouse keeper for a summer. Jeanne wrote in her questionnaire that "I was maybe involved with some racy women's underwear seen hanging high atop the flag pole" at WPHS. As for honors Jeanne states she graduated from college with honor and with two degrees forty-five years after she graduated from high school. Her favorite WPHS memory is Graduation and time spent with "my best friend Gloria".
Source: WPHS Class of 1961 - 50th Reunion Questionnaire

Dorothy Ann Bell (Franks)
Deceased

Introducing...Dorothy Ann Bell
Dorothy is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William J. Bell and will graduate with the class of 1961 from Winter Park High School. Membership in Tri-Hi-Y, Pep Club and Future Homemakers of America are listed among her high school activities. Swimming and skiing are her hobbies. Dorothy will enter Florida State in the fall as an Elementary Education major.

Bell, Dorothy Ann . . . "Dottiebell", born in Kittanning, Pennsylvania, attended Vero Beach High School before coming to WPHS. "Enjoy it and have a ball," is Dottie's philosophy of life. Her pet peeve is people who call her Dottiebell. Dottie passes the time by playing baseball, watching football, swimming, and keeping track of her boyfriends. Ideal situation is getting a visit from Michael Anthony. Future includes Florida State University for 2 years and then marriage.
Source: WPHS Senior Salutes, 1961.

James Lane Benton
Click HERE to send
Jim an e-mail!

Photograph
Wanted

Introducing...James Lane Benton
The son of Mrs. Juanita Benton, 1130 Kentucky Avenue, Jim will graduate with the class of 1961 from Winter Park High School. He was named the most outstanding student in Industrial Art, 1959-60 and was a member of the Chess Club this year. Chess, hunting, fishing and reading are Jim's hobbies. Jim will get his military obligations out of the way by entering the Air Force after graduation.

Benton, James Lane . . . Jimmy was born in Winchester, Kentucky. Other than attending good ole Winter Park High School, Jimmy has been a student at Winchester High and Maynard Evans High School. His favorite sport is basketball while his hobbies are chess and airplanes. Jim's unusual pet peeve is girls who act cute . . . Jim's most memorable event at Winter Park High School was his first day here. His secret ambition is to be a scientist. Future plans include the Air Force.
Source: WPHS Senior Salutes, 1961.

Richard Sammis Bergen
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Jim an e-mail!

Introducing...Richard Sammis Bergen
Dick is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Bergen, 2301 Forrest Road and a member of the graduating class of 1961 from Winter Park High. In the fall he will enter the University of Florida where he plans to major in physics. During high school he was a member of the tennis team.

Bergen, Richard S. . . Glencove, NY . . . left us "Dick" in 1944. This senior came to WPHS from Levittown Memorial High School. Favorite sports and hobbies include golf, tennis, baseball, collecting coins and girls. Pet peeves . . . his parents and stop signs. Dick would like to share a tropical isle with Tuesday Weld and pizza pie. Philosophy . . . pleasure before business. Future plans include college at the University of Florida or Georgia Tech.
Source: WPHS Senior Salutes, 1961.

Happiest memory: Playing for WPHS at state high school tennis championships (unfortunately we lost).
Bio: BS in physics, University of Florida, 1965. MBA in management, University of Florida, 1967. Married Marianne 1966, and still married. Two sons Jim, married in 1991, and Mike - both attending University of Georgia. Move to Georgia in 1982 with Southern Bell. Currently Director of Technology Assessment for Bell South.
Future plans and goals: Win lottery, retire.
Source: 30th Reunion 1991

Dick has two children and two grandchildren. His favorite WPHS teacher he lists as Ed Creech because of his personality and class pragmatism. Currently Dick's hobies are travel, photography and hiking. He lists his favorite sports as tennis and golf. Dick's favorite vacation or vacation spot is Carmel/Pebble Beach, CA, Cashiers, NC and Bora Bora. Left on Dick's bucket list are climbing Mt. Everest, win the Tour de France and win the Nobel Peace Prize. Dick was "...a NY refugee..." He wrote that his favorite WPHS memory was the "...May and September classes in those non-air conditioned afternoon classrooms."
Source: WPHS Class of 1961 - 50th Reunion Questionnaire

Click HERE to read more from Dick.

Norman Larry Betsinger
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Larry an e-mail!

Jack Billingham
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Jack an e-mail!

Present Work and/or activities: Houston Astros minor league pitching coach
Bio: Twenty years played professional baseball (seven years minor league, thirteen big league). Five years sporting goods store owner in Casselberry. Five years minor league pitching coach with Houston Astros. [Editor's Note: Jackie played with the LA Dodgers, Houston Astros, Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, and Boston Red Sox. In the 1972, 1975 and 1976 World Series he pitched for the Cincinnati Reds. They won the World Series in 1975 and 1976!]
Source: 30th Reunion 1991

Jack has two children and four grandchildren. His favorite WPHS teach was "...Bill Gordon...he was instrumental in helping me get started in my professional baseball career". Jack's favorite hobbies are RV camping, fishing and golf. Further he wrote that his "...#1 hobby is his grandchildren...four of the best." Favorite sports are basketball and baseball. His favorite vacation or vacation spot is the coast of Maine as favorite spot and his favorite vacation was the RV camping with Dewey in Alaska. On Jack's bucket list he wrote that getting to watch his four grandchildren grow into happy, productive adults. Honors that Jack has listed are WPHS Sports Hall of Fame, Central Florida Sports Hall of Fame and Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame.
Source: WPHS Class of 1961 - 50th Reunion Questionnaire

Thomas Wayne Bledsoe
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Tom an e-mail!

Introducing...Thomas Wayne Bledsoe
Tom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Bledsoe, 1219 Michigan Avenue and will graduate with the class of 1961 from Winter Park High School. A member of the Latin Club, Hi-Y and Golf team, Tom's big interests outside school are golf and swimming. He will enter Stetson University as a Business Administration major this fall.

Bledsoe, Thomas Wayne . . . Tom was born in Orlando, FL. This brown-hair, brown-eyed, six-foot senior favors baseball, basketball and golf to any other sports. His secret ambition is to become a playboy. His philosophy of life, "Enjoy life while you are living" seems to go along with his ambition. Tom's pet peeve is his senior English. Future includes college at Stetson in Deland, FL.
Source: WPHS Senior Salutes, 1961.

Happiest memory: So many friendly people.
Bio: Stetson University, BS, Business, 1965. Served two years as a lieutenant in the Army Signal Corps (8/65 - 8/67, all 1966 in Vietnam). Began work as real estate appraiser from 1967 until present. Married 9/72 to Carol Carter from north Manchester, Indiana. 1974 - accepted Christ into my life. 1974-son David born. 1978-daughter Emily born. 1982-received MAI designation-Real Estate Appraisal Institute. 1984-started to work for myself in new business.
Future plans and goals: Get children through college. Hope to travel some. Retire and do volunteer church work.
Source: 30th Reunion 1991

Tom has two children and two grandchildren. He lists his favorite WPHS teacher as Ed Creech because he made PAD interesting. His hobbies are golf and volunteer service. His favorite sports are golf and college football. Favorite vacation was a Montreal to Boston cruise. Being a husband, father and grandfather is what Tom lists as an honor he wanted to share. His favorite WPHS memory is the "...great classmates."
Source: WPHS Class of 1961 - 50th Reunion Questionnaire

Elmer 'Lee' Bohannon

Photograph
Wanted

Introducing...Elmer Lee Bohannon, Jr.
The son of Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Bohannon, 1500 E. Concord Avenue, Elmer will graduate with the class of 1961 from Winter Park High School. He claims the school record for the most absences but his activities have been many and include Track team, National Junior Honor Society, Student Council, Key Club, Science Club and vice-president of his home room. Elmer's hobbies are swimming, photography and sports. He will study engineering at the University of Florida.

Bohannon, Elmer Lee . . . Southern fried chicken and milk would make "Bubba" happy on his tropical isle . . . provided he has Carla York to keep him company. Elmer comes to us from Wilmington, NC. His favorite expression is "Hi Puddin Puddin!" Baseball, basketball, football, fishing and driving make this well-rounded boy happy. His philosophy of life is "Live life to its fullest." Future includes college, work, and then marriage.
Source: WPHS Senior Salutes, 1961.

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