William A. Sorge of Vashon died on October 8, 2010 in Seattle, Washington at Providence Mount Saint Vincent. William was born on a farm near Temple, Oklahoma in March of 1914. He was the youngest of three children. His brother, Tim, and sister, Irene, raised their families in the area. William loved learning, graduating as valedictorian from Temple High School in 1933. He credited his success in life to the dedicated teachers who inspired him when he was young. His education allowed him to travel far beyond the farmlands of Oklahoma, but he always enjoyed returning to visit his family.

William earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Oklahoma, a Master’s degree from the University of Tulsa, and his Doctor’s degree in General Engineering from Oklahoma State University. Upon graduation from the University of Oklahoma he was hired by Standard Oil of New Jersey (now Exxon). He worked on seismic crews looking for oil across the United States and Canada. In 1941, he was asked to assist a seismic crew in Ecuador. He spent an amazing and adventurous four years in Ecuador and returned with a wealth of stories. Upon his return he conducted research in Tulsa for the oil company until 1965 when he retired. William then taught Mathematics at the University of Tulsa until 1985.

He married his wife of forty-nine years in 1952 in Tulsa. When he married Sadie Harlan a family was immediately created as he helped raise her two younger sisters, Rosalee and Vera. In 1956, a daughter, Celia, was born. William and Sadie loved to travel taking Rose, Vera and Celia on many family vacations. In 1972, 1973, and 1977, he and Sadie purchased Volkswagens and motored across Europe visiting historical sites and connecting with relatives whose families had remained in Germany.

In 1985 after the birth of Kyle, Celia’s son, William and Sadie retired and moved to Vashon Island to be near their daughter and her family. They helped raise Kyle, Kelsey, and Carey while living on Burton peninsula and enjoying nearby Jenson Point. William was happy to finally live on Vashon Island after having visited his cousin, Roland Carey, in 1946 and buying property on the Island. William and Sadie were involved in many Island organizations including the Senior Center, the Grange, Vashon Island Pet Protectors, and the Vagabums. William enjoyed a men’s discussion group on Vashon, Vashon Computer Society meetings and computer meetings in Tacoma. He used his computer skills to write a software program to select promising stocks. Since he was a young man he was fascinated by the stock market and its mathematical implications.

When Sadie became ill they left their beloved home in Burton to move closer to Celia and her husband, Bruce. William was finally living on the Vashon land he had purchased in 1946. Sadie died in 2002, and William continued to live in his own home until June of this year.  A bout of pneumonia weaken him requiring more help than could be provided at home.

William was a scholar, an engineer, a traveler, a loving husband, and caring father and grandfather. He was a kind and generous man who was loved by his family and friends. He is survived by his daughter, Celia Sorge, and her husband, Bruce Toomey, grandchildren, Kyle, Kelsey and Carey Sorge-Toomey, sisters-in-law, Rosalee Gray and Vera Willey. William is also survived by a son, Gregory Sorge, from a previous marriage and by many nieces and nephews.

Arrangements were handled by Howden-Kennedy of Seattle, Washington. A gathering of family and friends to celebrate William’s life will be held on Vashon on October 24, please call 463-9009 for additional details. In lieu of flowers, please volunteer or donate to the important cause of your choice.

Paid Obituary.