Fortuna / California / United States
In 1947 Ben McWhorter, a lifelong resident of Humboldt County went to work for Youngreens Propane Service in Fortuna after serving in the air force during WWII. In 1951 Youngreens changed the company name to Sequoia Gas Co and in 1954 Ben decided to make an investment in the propane industry and bought out the Youngreens in their business. A couple years later he would marry Billie, an employee of Sequoia Gas Co Together they had eight children and raised them in Fortuna. At the age of 51 Ben was killed in an auto accident and the company was left in Billies hands. With great experience raising kids and very little in the propane industry, Billies hard work ethic kicked into gear and she decided to keep Sequoia Gas running in the family. All eight kids chipped in their time and respectively helped out their mother for the benefit of the company. To help better serve their customers to the North of Fortuna, Sequoia Gas opened their Arcata office in 1984. Shane McWhorter who has worked for the family business for 38 years has managed the site since the doors opened. In 1991 Sequoia Gas Co took a monumental step by being in business for 50 Years ; one the oldest family businesses in the area. After running Sequoia Gas for 23 years Billie lost a battle to Cancer in December of 1999. Sequoia Gas is now owned and operated by President Shannon McWhorter in Fortuna and Vice President Shane McWhorter in Arcata. Shannon has worked Sequoia Gas Co for the past 36 years, and is proud of following his mothers footsteps by being active in the propane industry by serving on the board of the Western Propane Gas Association. Currently the 3rd generation of McWhorters Britni and Ben are helping keep the Family Tradition alive as we celebrate 69 years of service on the North Coast.
