Bill Text: VA HR246 | 2023 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Captain William F. Span, USN, Ret.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-01-23 - Bill text as passed House (HR246ER) [HR246 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2023-HR246-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Captain William F. Span, USN, Ret., an honorable veteran, esteemed realtor, and beloved member of the Virginia Beach community, died on November 29, 2022; and
WHEREAS, William "Bill" F. Span graduated from Ambridge High School in Pennsylvania, where he was a standout athlete in football, track and field, and gymnastics; and
WHEREAS, attending Washington & Jefferson College on a football scholarship, Bill Span continued to excel academically and athletically, starting as both an offensive center and defensive lineman with the football team, while also competing in the pole vault, javelin, and discus events with the track and field team; and
WHEREAS, Bill Span never missed a quarter of play over his four years with the Washington & Jefferson College football team and helped to build one of the league's most dominant backfields, establishing a legacy that would earn him an induction into the school's athletics hall of fame as a Murphy Award honoree in 2001; and
WHEREAS, after graduation, Bill Span received his commission with the United States Navy in 1950 and served his country with honor and distinction for 27 years; as a naval aviator in the Vietnam War, he bravely flew 279 combat missions in an A-4 Skyhawk; over his career, he logged an impressive 5,125 flight hours and 1,020 carrier landings; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of his meritorious service with the United States Navy, Bill Span was the recipient of two Silver Stars, five Distinguished Flying Crosses, one Bronze Star, two United States Navy Commendation Medals, one Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and several other awards and decorations; and
WHEREAS, Bill Span went on to obtain a master's degree at the Naval Postgraduate School, to teach with the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps at The Ohio State University, and to serve as an instructor at the U.S. Naval War College before retiring at the rank of captain in 1977; and
WHEREAS, following his military service, Bill Span and his family settled in Virginia Beach, where he launched a successful career in real estate with Professional Realty, owned and managed several dozen rental and commercial properties, and started an underground utility construction company, Kevcor Contracting Corporation, with his son, Gregory; and
WHEREAS, Bill Span's tireless pursuit of adventure took him around the world and led to many extraordinary and memorable experiences, including skiing in Chile, heli-skiing in Canada, scuba diving in Hawaii, and flying a Mikoyan MiG-29 jet in Russia; and
WHEREAS, preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary Irene, and his son, Kevin, Bill Span will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his children, William and Gregory, and their families; his companion, Nancy; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Captain William F. Span, USN, Ret., an uncommon leader whose friendly and outgoing nature endeared him to all who knew him; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Captain William F. Span, USN, Ret., as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for his memory.
