Popular combined driving competitor Bill Orth, once one of the top single-horse drivers, died at the age of 90 on August 20 at his home in Eaton, N.Y.
A native of New Jersey who once had a farm in Stockton, he did a lot of winning with a Morgan named Bentley and gained international fame in 1992 with the Morgan New-Ran’s Hawk. He and Hawk traveled to the Royal Windsor show in England and won the Single Horse title at the Harrods International Driving Grand Prix competition. The trophy and ribbons were presented by Queen Elizabeth.
His closest competitor at Windsor was another Hunterdon County resident, George Hoffman. The two were members of the Possumtown Five, a group of fun-loving drivers that also included George Millar, Joe Urso and Stan Rosania during the heyday of combined driving in New Jersey. He also was an active member of the Hunterdon County Horse & Pony Association.
Bill Orth
Born in Passaic, N.J., Bill went to work for the Noll family farm, where he met Marilyn Noll, who became his wife in 1957. After his time in the dairy industry, Bill became a long-distance driver for several trucking companies before starting his own B-Line Trucking, which he ran until his 1985 retirement.
Bill and Marilyn relocated to Southern Pines, N.C., but after her death, he moved to Eaton, N.Y., and built a log cabin on the Orth family dairy farm.
A self-taught musician who played several instruments, he also was a bird-watcher, historian, a competitive card player and quite a storyteller.
He also was known for his sense of humor. Katie Whaley, another driver who was a close friend, remembers the time he showed up with his friends at the Fair Hill, Md., driving event’s exhibitors’ party in late October. They came as Snow White and the seven dwarves. Bill was dressed as Snow White, and the other Possumtown members were the dwarves. Margie Margentino, who narrated their skit as Merlin, helped Pat Rosania make the costumes.
Margie remembered Bill as a “good mentor and great horseman who was a good supporter of the sport and always encouraged new people.”
Bill is survived by his sister-in-law, Dorothy Hostage and her husband, Michael. The family has requested that instead of flowers, those wishing to remember Bill with a gift should make a contribution to a charity of their choice.
A celebration of Bill’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Oct. 15, at the Orth family farm, 2861 Evans Road, Eaton, N.Y. 13334. Arrangements are by Burgess & Tedesco Funeral Home, 31 Cedar St., Morrisville, N.Y.