Sigma Chi - University of Florida

GAMMA THETA TIMES | 2 W illiam "Bill" Olinger II '64 was always aware of Sigma Chi due to his father, Don Olinger, University of Cincinnati '32, being a member and his admiration of the fraternity. Aer being invited to participate in Derby Days when he was a senior in high school, Bill became certain that it was the place for him. "I had the decorated derby from that night in my closet for the next 50 years." Bill was also close friends with Dr. J. Wayne Reitz, Colorado State University '30, who was the fih UF president and a Significant Sig who was actively involved with the Gamma eta House Corporation. "He was a friend, mentor, and someone I looked up to." Following Dr. Reitz's lead, Bill served as consul as an active and was nominated for the Balfour Cup in 1964. In addition to being inspired by the older Sigs in his life, Bill pledged Sigma Chi with some of his friends: Walter "Butch" Williams '64, John W. Kirkpatrick III '64, Bill Hartman '65, and Frank Green III '64. As consul at the time, Chic Holden '62 initiated the group and went on to become Bill's lifelong corporate and personal attorney. John and Frank have served on the house corporation alongside Bill, who is currently president, since 1970. Staying involved with the chapter is a fulfilling endeavor and helps to keep alumni connected across generations. Bill shared, "Serving on the board with these gentlemen for over 50 years has made them some of my closest friends." In the same way that Bill first noticed Sigma Chi through his father's involvement, Bill's two sons have followed suit. "Because of my active involvement with the fraternity, both of my sons pledged with Sigma Chi—my oldest, Will Olinger III, Wake Forest University '91, and youngest, Charles Olinger, Georgia Southern University '94. With them having gone through the ΣX pledgeship and initiation themselves, it brought us even closer. It's an extra bond that we will share through our lives." Every one of these Sigma Chi connections has kept Bill closely involved with the fraternity, but he recognizes that isn't the case for every Gamma eta alumnus. "Overall, we alumni have given very little back to the fraternity at this point, but this capital campaign is now our opportunity to give to something that has meant so much to each of us through the years." He shares that the current chapter has 114 brothers and 48 pledge brothers who are trying to make a 57-year-old house function as best as it can, but the older house can't be renovated to current code requirements due to "having been built with prestressed concrete walls; the windows, doors, and hallways are all too narrow. Plus, we would have to install two elevators." Bill's constant drive to make the most of his extracurriculars, academics, career, and family are what makes him a top-tier member of his community and the fraternity. He admits that Gamma eta Chapter "hasn't always done a great job of keeping in touch with the alumni, but they are making a better effort to do so going forward. It will certainly enrich the lives of the alumni who make an effort to stay in touch with other alumni and active brothers." His many connections to Sigma Chi, even before he pledged in 1961, are proof that he knows what a rich alumni network can provide, and he's leading the charge for e Campaign for Gamma eta by becoming a William Lewis Lockwood Society level donor. Outside of Sigma Chi, Bill remains an active force in his community and serves in several organizations, including March of Dimes, Gator City Kiwanis Club, YMCA, and Florida Museum of History. Bill and his wife, Sandra, have been married for 55 years, and they enjoy spending time with their sons and three granddaughters. You can connect with Bill at billo@kossolinger.com. Keeping Sig Significant Bill Olinger '64 Strengthens Personal Relationships with Sigma Chi Bonds Bruce Louden '60 shares that his grandson, Sam, is a fourth generation Sigma Chi at the University of Connecticut. Bruce is a matrimonial lawyer and has enjoyed a national reputation for 40 years as both an effective advocate and a pioneer in a constructive approach to divorce. Since 1977, he has had the highest rating a lawyer can have in the Martindale-Hubbell directory and has been listed in national publications among the top divorce lawyers in the country. He and his wife, Molly, live in West Hartford, Conn. Email: bruce@lkmfamilylaw.com Jack W. Crannel '69 and his wife live in Palm Coast, Fla., and are celebrating over 40 years of marriage. ey have two children. Jack spent 32 years in the automobile business and retired in 2007. He loves being retired and rides his Harley Wide Glide motorcycle five times a week. Email: jack.crannell@yahoo.com ALUMNI NEWS Connect with Gamma eta Online - sigmachiuf.com f facebook.com/ UFSigmaChi i @ufsigmachi l @ufsigmachi

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