Benny Charles Morrell, 70, executive director of the Virginia Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (VOWRA), died on Friday, Aug. 10, at his home in Star Tannery.
Morrell came to VOWRA in September of 2007 after about 18 months in retirement. “He had completed all his retirement projects and was ready for something new,” recalls VOWRA president Pam Pruett. Before his retirement, Morrell had worked for many years in manufacturing management for nationally recognized companies.
“Fiscal responsibility was a key element in his management style – that trait convinced VOWRA to hire him and helped lead VOWRA to the success we enjoy today,” says Pruett. “During his tenure at VOWRA, Benny worked tirelessly to organize educational conferences, craft newsletters, answer phone calls and e-mails, and manage the day-to-day operations of our organization.
“Benny was a wonderful loving husband, father, grandfather and brother who loved to golf, fish, garden and smoke cigars. A graduate of King College in Bristol, Tennessee, Benny served also served as a member of Strasburg Rotary and a member of Mt. Hope Presbyterian Church.”
Morrell is survived by his wife of 48 years, Hazel Hewlett Morrell; daughter Virginia (Ginger) Ellen Beers and husband Bill of Inwood, W.Va.; son-in-law Michael L. Rosenberger and grandson, Zachary Michael of Toms Brook; daughter Elizabeth Ann Fleet of Strasburg; son, Benjamin Charles Morrell, wife Connie and grandchildren Elise and Jacob of Toms Brook; daughter Mary Kaye Hausmann and husband Mike of Star Tannery; brothers Larry Morrell and wife Lynda, and Rudy Morrell and wife Ann; sisters Lorraine Morrell Jones, and Nancy Morrell Arnold and husband, Clayton; brother-in-law Robert E. Hewlett; and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial contributions be made to The Star Tannery Volunteer Fire Department and the National Rifle Association of America.
