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Article by Dr. Clara Small  Orrensy William Hull (1919 - 2013) Orrensy William Hull, Jr., also called “William,” was born November 2, 1919 to the late Lottie Conway Hull and Orrensy William Hull, Sr., in Wetipquin, on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. The oldest son and the second-born of nine children, Orrensy grew up on his parent’s farm and spent much of his time growing and trucking produce to markets in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. areas. William’s early education was in a three-room school building in Nanticoke, Maryland, where he finished second in his class from Nanticoke High School. Upon graduation from high school, William matriculated to Lincoln University, in Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, the school he later credited as helping “to make him the man that he became.” At Lincoln University, he served as manager of the track team, and also pledged Phi Beta Sigma, a service fraternity in which his membership spanned over 75 years. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Physics with a minor in Chemistry from Lincoln. He later obtained a Master of Arts degree in Secondary Education from the University of Pennsylvania. William Hull also received a Master of Science degree in Physics and an Electrical Engineering Equivalency degree from the Stevens Institute of Technology and a Ph.D. equivalency in Physics from the University of Pennsylvania. His career goals and thirst for knowledge were interrupted when he was drafted and served in the United States Army during World War II. He served as a Signal Supply Officer, while stationed overseas in Italy. Classified as a Tech 4 (Technician 4), he received an Army Commendation for his work with the 92nd Infantry Division, and he was honorably discharged in 1946. Upon the completion of his military obligations and discharge from service, William began his career as a lifelong educator. From 1946 to 1962, William served as a teacher and Vice Principal at Salisbury High School. He was appointed by Governor Spiro Agnew to the Wicomico County Board of Education and served from 1966 to 1971. He also became the first African American who served in that position in Wicomico County. Upon the resignation of another board member, Orrensy became Vice President of the Board. At the time of his appointment in 1967, the Board of Education consisted of one African American, one woman and three Democrats and three Republicans.  Salisbury High School Exterior Linda Duyer African-American History Collection (2012.021) Nabb Research Center Mr. Hull was an advocate for better schools, equality education, and training for all children, and, as such, served on numerous committees. One of those committees was the Vocational Advisory Council which was established to analyze the Wicomico County’s vocational program, to examine its strengths and weaknesses, and to advise the board. He also noted that there were few African Americans on the council and suggested that there should be others. After the completion of his term on the board on June 30, 1970, the Board of Education on July 14, 1971, commended Mr. Hull for his service, but he was not reappointed to another term. After twenty-one years of service in secondary education, William Hull turned his passion for educating others to higher education. He spent over 21 years of service from 1960 -1982 as a professor at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES). He was also a faculty member at Salisbury State College, now Salisbury University, from 1968-1970, and was the first African American professor to teach at the college. In 1975, as an Associate Professor of Physics, he received awards for distinguished service to the University (UMES), including the title he loved, “Most Helpful Teacher,” which was based on votes from students and staff. He was also recognized for his teaching ability by then President Dr. William P. Hytche. During his tenure at Old Maryland State (UMES), Mr. Hull also served as the Advisor to the Cooperative Education Program. He taught several generations of families and was frequently invited to attend class reunions of his former students. Upon his retirement on May 16, 1982, he was awarded the title of Associate Professor Emeritus by the University of Maryland Board of Regents. Mr. Hull was a strong supporter of UMES’ efforts to raise funds for program development and scholarships important to the perpetuation of academic excellence. After retirement from UMES, he continued to serve on the university’s fundraising campaigns.  Postcard of Maryland State College's "Dormitory for Women" University of Maryland Eastern Shore c. mid-1950s   Trigg Hall, Maryland State College Post Card c.1940s-1960s HipPostcard Mr. Hull was also very much involved in the civic activities of the local community. Some of those activities included the following:
Mr. Hull was committed to education, his family, and his community. He was very aware of racism and discrimination on Delmarva, and he was determined to find ways to lessen the sting. He found ways to help create opportunities for African Americans to receive a good education and he actively advocated for underserved residents of the community and made the entire community better for everyone. An example of his beliefs began in the 1940’s, when he began selling cars part-time with Oliphant Chevrolet to help put automobile purchases within reach for area African American families. His affiliation with the local Chevrolet dealer, as an esteemed consultant and salesman, continued for many years as a member of the Courtesy Chevrolet family of dealerships.  Oliphant Chevrolet Advertisement The Daily Times, 1968 Newspapers.com Mr. Hull was also very active in a couple of service organizations for which he was exceptionally proud. He was a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and in January of 2013, he was honored with the Living Legacy Award for 75 years of service to his fraternity. He was a charter member and founder of the local Delta Gamma Sigma Chapter, in which he held many positions and mentored many of its younger members. A second fraternity in which he was also a founder and charter member was Gamma Theta Chapter of the Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Inc., which is the oldest Greek organization among African Americans. Due to his leadership, service, and scholarship, the fraternity established in his honor the O. William Hull Boule Scholarship Program, a scholarship and mentoring program for young men on Delmarva.
Mr. Hull’s passion for teaching and learning carried over into his leisure time and retirement years. He learned to swim at the age of 65, golf at the age of 75, and he was well aware of local and world affairs throughout his lifetime. His hobbies included gardening (the fruits of his labor which he shared with family and friends), photography, golfing, and vacationing with his family throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, France, Italy and Monaco. Mr. Orrensy William Hull, Jr., was a highly respected, very active member of the community and his church, Wesley Temple United Methodist Church in Salisbury, Maryland, in which he served on numerous committees, until his health declined. He passed into eternal rest on November 26, 2013 and his celebration of life services were held at Wesley Temple on December 7, 2013. His interment was at the Eastern Shore Veteran’s Cemetery, Hurlock, Maryland. Mr. Hull is remembered as a lifelong learner who never lost his thirst for knowledge, and he encouraged others to do the same. One of the lasting examples of his legacy is the Wicomico Nursing Home on Booth Street, which showed his concern for others, especially for the African American community. His hope for the betterment of the entire community and commitment to others was possibly the force which compelled him to strive for excellence and encouraged others to do the same.
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