William B. Wrench

William B. Wrench (Age 88) William Buchanan Wrench, Sr. died on Friday, September 9, 2016 after a long and productive life. Bill Wrench was born on February 26, 1928 in Meyers Station, KY to Ruby (Buchanan) and Homer Wrench. After graduating high school at the age of 16, he enlisted in the Navy in 1945 (his mother had to sign a waiver so that he could enlist at 17). As he would jokingly point out, the fact that he was heading to the Pacific was probably a precipitating factor in the surrender of the Japanese in August of that year. After his military service, he completed a BA degree from the University of Kentucky in 1951, and from 1951 to 1957, he worked as an industrial development specialist for both Kentucky and Pennsylvania, as well as an executive for Corning Glass Works in Corning, NY. In 1957, he became the first Director of Industrial Development for Fairfax County, Virginia, and began his 59 years of involvement with the civic and business life of Fairfax County and the greater Washington area. In 1960, he founded Potomac Oil, Inc., and built up a portfolio of 15 service stations. He sold the business to Mobil Oil in 1980. In 1976, he founded Potomac Mini-Storage, which had multiple locations in Northern Virginia. He sold the business to Shurgard in 2002. He was involved in various real estate developments and other business ventures throughout the years. He ran for Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 1972, an election which he lost by less than 1000 votes. From 1972 to 1975 he served as the at-large member and eventual chairman of the Fairfax County School Board. He was a member of the Commonwealth of Virginia Highway Commission from 1978-1981, and was instrumental in the development of the Fairfax County Parkway. He served as president of the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Washington Board of Trade. He was involved with many charitable organizations, including H.E.R.O.E.S., Inc. and The Foundation at Goodwin House. He was a very active member of Pohick Episcopal Church, in Lorton VA. In the 1980s and 1990s, he served on the boards of both Christ Church School (Tidewater, VA) and Chatham Hall School (Chatham, VA) where he assisted both in obtaining a more secure financial footing. He is survived by Chartley R. Ward, his beloved companion of nearly 40 years; his daughters Laura Wrench and Su Wrench (husband Craig Scott); his sons William Wrench II (Kathy McGrane) and Walter Wrench (Michelle); his grandchildren Brigitte Clarkson, Erin Caldwell, Joey Wrench, and Skyler Wrench; and his sister Kathleen Waters. He was preceded in death by his grandson William Wrench III in 2002. The family requests that memorial donations be made to Historic Pohick Church Foundation (www.pohick.org/historic.html http://www.pohick.org/historic.html) or H.E.R.O.E.S., Inc. (www.heroes.org http://www.heroes.org).