DATE: Sunday, September 28, 1997            TAG: 9709260352

SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON   PAGE: 03   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: CLOSE-UP 

                                            LENGTH:   62 lines

WILL SESSOMS: BANKER, KING NEPTUNE

Will Sessoms, Virginia Beach's reigning King Neptune, is a Beach kind of guy.

He grew up at the North End, works as head of commercial lending for the Beach division of his bank and spends lots of his free time either jogging, biking or dining at the Oceanfront. If you're down there today enjoying the last hours of this year's Neptune Festival activities, you might see him in his royal robes, starring in the festival parade or visiting the sights on the Boardwalk.

The 43-year-old vice mayor, in his 10th year on City Council, graduated from First Colonial High and got a degree in business at Virginia Commonwealth University. Twenty years ago he got married and went into banking. ``I'm just a lucky son of a gun,'' he says.

He works hard at his business and political jobs, he says. ``To be able to go on the beach and take a ride on the Boardwalk, it doesn't get any better than that.''

Full name: William Douglas Sessoms Jr.

Hometown: Virginia Beach.

What brought you to the Beach? Doug and Willie Sessoms 43 years ago.

Birthdate: March 5, 1954.

Occupation: Commercial banker - Central Fidelity National Bank.

Nickname: Will.

Marital status: Married for 20 years.

Children: Mollie, Kate and Anne Douglas.

What is your idea of a perfect day off? Spending the day on the beach with family and friends.

Last smart thing you did: Went to work for Central Fidelity Bank 14 years ago.

Last dumb thing you did: Lost my check book - not a good move for a banker.

Favorite meal: Anything my mother cooks for Sunday night dinners.

Favorite movies: ``Top Gun,'' ``Forrest Gump.''

Favorite song: All beach music and anything by Jimmy Buffett.

Last book read: ``How to Stop Worrying and Start Living.''

Hobbies: Running on the Boardwalk, biking and snow skiing.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Stop being so hyper.

If you could change one thing about your spouse, what would it be? She's a fine wife and mother - no changes necessary.

Secret vice: Uncle Harry's ice cream and anything with coconut.

Favorite restaurant: Nick's, Croc's, Thunderbird Cafe, Bubbas and Steinhilbers.

Your favorite night on the town: Bike ride and dinner with friends on the Boardwalk

Favorite TV shows: ``Home Improvement,'' ``Seinfeld,'' ``Murphy Brown.''

Favorite sport: Any sport my children are participating in.

Pets: Dog, Rudee; cat, Oreo; pony, Prime Time.

Worst job: Putting up insulation underneath houses.

Of what achievements are you most proud? My girls (Bev, Mollie, Kate and Anne Douglas).

What would you like as your epitaph? He loved his family, his friends and his community. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by DAVID B. HOLLINGSWORTH

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