“William E. “Billy” Orgel talks with Downtown Memphis Commission office manager Christine Taylor while giving a tour of 99 S. Front on Sept. 15, 2021. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)” Picture taken by Patrick Lantrip from Tom Bailey’s article “First Newman Award Goes to Orgel, Champion for Historic Buildings”.
By Tom Bailey, Daily Memphian
Memphis Heritage on Nov. 4 will bestow upon Orgel its inaugural Kay B. Newman Award, named for an early and longtime supporter of the 46-year-old organization. . .
The Newman Award will be the first of three new honors – collectively called the “New Century Awards” – that Memphis Heritage will roll out by next year. . .
Starting with Orgel, the Newman Award will be given to an individual, group or organization that has acted to preserve historic architecture and served as an example to others in Memphis. . .
“Billy has been a true leader in the redevelopment of historic properties in Memphis,” Memphis Heritage leaders state in a release announcing the honor. . .
“I’m humbled, honored and surprised,” Orgel told The Daily Memphian. “There are so many people doing good things. It’s very nice to be considered. I really appreciate them bestowing me with the honor.”