Biography

05/14/1920 - 09/18/1977

William Benjamin Lentz (R15) Dauphin County 1965-1972 (R15) Dauphin and Lebanon (Part) Counties 1973-1976

Early Life:

William Benjamin Lentz, born May 14, 1920, Millersburg Dauphin County, Pennsylvania; son of Charles W. and Minnie Reigle Lentz; veteran, United States Army, World War II; insurance salesman; real estate broker; married, Ruth Jean Wiest, 1943, sons, James E., Andrew E., William C.; elected, Republican, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1965-1976; died September 18, 1977, Harrisburg Hospital, Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania; interment, Oak Hill Cemetery, Millersburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.

Professional titles; business ownership; board memberships; local government; club memberships:

Member, Grace United Methodist Church; charter member, Millersburg Rotary Club; member, Susquehanna Lodge 364, Tall, Cedars of Lebanon No. 125, Loyal Order of Moose, Lodge 59, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5507, American Legion Post 326, Dauphin County Anglers and Conservationist, all of Millersburg. Member, Harrisburg Consistory, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge 12, Historical Society of Dauphin County, all of Harrisburg. Member, Dauphin County Young Republicans, Republican Party of Pennsylvania's Century Club, Dauphin County Volunteer Firemen's Association, National Grange.

Pennsylvania Politics:

Elected, Republican, Pennsylvania State Senate, 15th district, Dauphin County, 1965-1972.

Elected, Republican, Pennsylvania State Senate, 15th district, Dauphin and Lebanon (Part) Counties 1973-1976.

Legacy:

Spring nominating primary 1964, scored one of the most remarkable election upsets in Pennsylvania history, ousting incumbent M. Harvey Taylor, who at that time, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, regarded as one of the most, if not the most, powerful Republican in the State. Ran against him because Taylor would not see him when Bill wanted to run for the legislature. Began his campaign at Colonial Park Shopping Center, handing out lollipops and shaking hands with people.

The closing of Hershey Junior College, refusal of Taylor to support the popular Blaine Hocker for State Legislature helped tremendously. Defeated Taylor by 3,249 votes, spending $3,657.17 on his campaign. Defeated John D. Killian, November 1964. Easily winning reelection 1966, 1968 1972. Endorsed George Gekas to be his successor.

Cited:

Cox, Harold. "Senate Members "L"". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.

Beers, Paul B. (1980). Pennsylvania Politics Today and Yesterday: The Terrible Accommodation. University Park, Pennsylvania: The Pennsylvania State University Press. page 169. ISBN 0-271-00238-7.

William Benjamin Lentz (1920-1977) - Find a Grave Memorial