Bill Text: VA SJR349 | 2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of William Henry Edwards, Sr.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2021-02-08 - Agreed to by House [SJR349 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2021-SJR349-Introduced.html
WHEREAS, William Henry Edwards, Sr., an honorable veteran, esteemed businessman, and beloved member of the Colonial Beach and Montross communities, died on December 2, 2020; and
WHEREAS, William "Willie" Edwards served his country with courage and valor as a member of the United States Marine Corps during World War II; after training at Parris Island and Camp Lejeune and graduating as a gunnery sergeant, he proudly served in the Marshall Islands, Guam, and Japan as part of the Second Marine Division; and
WHEREAS, after the war, Willie Edwards was stationed at Quantico, where he rose to the rank of captain and completed advanced, battalion-level staff officer training; later, he returned to his hometown of Montross following graduation from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; and
WHEREAS, with his military experience in logistics, Willie Edwards established the flatbed trucking company Northern Neck Transfer, Inc., with the aim to efficiently and expeditiously transport building and agricultural products in the Mid-Atlantic region; the company has continued to grow and thrive over the years and now serves customers throughout the United States and Canada; and
WHEREAS, an active and engaged member of his community, Willie Edwards was always glad to offer a helping hand to his friends and neighbors; in an extraordinary display of heart and determination, he single-handedly plowed the roads of Montross during the historic blizzard of 1967; and
WHEREAS, a compassionate steward of the community who was dedicated to fostering the success and well-being of young people, Willie Edwards served on the Westmoreland County School Board in the 1970s; and
WHEREAS, guided throughout his life by his deep and abiding faith, Willie Edwards enjoyed worship and fellowship with his community at St. James Episcopal Church in Montross, where he was a member of the vestry, and at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in King George County; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of his distinguished and honorable years of service with the United States Marine Corps, Willie Edwards was laid to rest at Quantico National Cemetery with military honors; and
WHEREAS, Willie Edwards will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his loving wife of 70 years, Jean; his children, Lester, Susan, and William, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of William Henry Edwards, Sr., a venerable veteran and businessman who had a profound and lasting impact on countless lives; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of William Henry Edwards, Sr., as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.
