COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE

FOR

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 90

By Delegates Cadle, Westfall, Graves, Foster, Worrell, Phillips, Hott, J. Jeffries, J. Kelly, Atkinson and Mandt

(Originating in the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure
February 18, 2020)

Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number NHPP-0035(202) (11350), carrying U.S. Route 35 over County Route 29 and Little Sixteen Mile Creek in Mason County, the “Wood Brothers Veterans Memorial Bridge”.

Whereas, William Lee Wood, a native of Indiana, enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War I and was assigned to a duty station guarding critical railroad structures along the Ohio River in Mason County, West Virginia, and there met Olive Velma Medors from Point Pleasant. At the time of his discharge in January 1919, William was noted for his “honest and faithful service” to the Army. William Lee Wood married Olive Medors and the two of them established a household and farmstead at Point Pleasant, where they had eleven children, ten sons and one daughter, and in addition raised a grandson, Jimmie Lynn Wood, from birth as one of their own. William and Olive were hard-working parents and William encouraged all of his sons to serve their country in the armed forces as he had; and

Whereas, Charles Clifford Wood was born to William Lee and Olive Wood on October 24, 1919, and married Betty Schauer in 1939. They lived in Mason County for a few years where Charles was a fireman for the town of Point Pleasant. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on March 30, 1944 and served in World War II. After his discharge, he and his wife lived in Missouri and had two children, Judy and Terry. He eventually went to work for the E R Plumbing Company and became a labor foreman for nearly 50 men and he also was a member of the Civil Defense Auxiliary Police in Kirkwood, Missouri; and

Whereas, Lewis Lee “Tudy” Wood was born to William Lee and Olive Wood on March 11, 1921, and, in his youth, was trained as a boxer and competed in both West Virginia and Ohio. He joined the United States Navy on January 15, 1940, in which he served for six years, seeing action in both the European and Pacific Theaters during World War II. His service also included duty aboard the Presidential Yacht. After serving his country he worked in construction as a boilermaker and occasionally worked as a painter with a couple of his brothers.  He was blessed with one son, Jimmie Lynn Wood (Judith Roach), who was raised with the help of his parents, William Lee and Olive Wood;  and

Whereas, Elmer “Emo” Wood was born to William Lee and Olive Wood on October 21, 1922, and at the age of 20, enlisted in the United States Army, becoming a Technician in the 563rd Ordnance Heavy Maintenance Company where he was known as the “West Virginia Kid” and served in the European Theater during World War II. He married Genevieve L. Holley and they had five children, Diana, Stephen, John, Chuck, and Melody. After his discharge from the Army, Emo Wood worked in equipment maintenance for the Foote Mineral Corporation of New Haven, West Virginia. He was a member of the American Legion Post 140 of New Haven and was an avid Little League Coach for the New Haven Yankees. As a coach he was known for two traits: he instilled a sense of fairness in his players, making sure that everyone got a chance to play during a game, and frequently took the team for his treat of ice cream at Roush’s Drive-in; and

Whereas, Raymond Leonard Wood was born to William Lee and Olive Wood on February 8, 1924, and he entered the United States Army on April 5, 1941, serving as a Rifleman in the 10th Armored Infantry Battalion, 4th Armored Division, and saw action in the European, African, and Middle Eastern Theaters during World War II. After his discharge in 1946, he returned to the Mid-Ohio River Valley where he worked in construction as an iron worker and also maintained a farm in Gallia County, Ohio, raising cattle. He married Clara Boardman and together they raised her daughter, Athens Kingery. After his farming days, he returned to Point Pleasant where he worked for the American Legion Post 23; and

Whereas, Donald Melvin “Don” Wood was born to William Lee and Olive Wood on May 14, 1926, and, in his youth, enjoyed roller skating dance competitions, frequently participating with his sister, Sybil, and he once skated in an event at Madison Square Garden.  He enlisted in the United States Navy on April 3, 1943, and was assigned to the Navy Armed Guard, which consisted of specialty units stationed on merchant ships to provide defensive firepower protecting the merchant ships in transit and this was considered one of the most hazardous assignments during World War II. He met and married Luella E. McMillin prior to his discharge from the Navy and, following his service, they raised two sons, Russell Lee and Donald Eugene. Don Wood worked in construction as a painter and was the business agent for the painters’ union at Point Pleasant, West Virginia. He eventually became a superintendent and office manager for C. H. Heist Corporation, for which he traveled through many states and the territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. He was also a member of the Broad Run Rod and Gun Club and of American Legion Post 140 in New Haven, West Virginia; and

Whereas, Robert Lightburn “Bobby” Wood was born to William Lee and Olive Wood on July 21, 1928 and learned to be an arc welder. He enlisted in the United States Army on December 30, 1948, and, with the commencement of armed conflict in Korea, was dispatched with the 82nd Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division. In February 1951, his artillery battery was attacked by numerically superior forces and was ordered to withdraw. His column came under heavy fire and, as they were moving out, he spotted a wounded member of his unit in a small ravine beside the road. In the face of heavy gunfire, he leapt from his armored vehicle to retrieve the wounded soldier. For several acts of gallantry in this conflict he was awarded the Bronze Star and, after Senator Robert C. Byrd petitioned on his behalf, the Silver Star. He married Patricia Marie Harden and they had two children, Connie and David. After service in the Army, he worked as an iron worker and was a member of the United Steelworkers of America. He also was a member of the Bellemead United Methodist Church in Point Pleasant, the Minturn Lodge No. 19, AF & AM, and American Legion Post 23 in Point Pleasant; and

Whereas, F. Paul Wood was born to William Lee and Olive Wood on November 21, 1929, and entered the United States Marine Corps on September 27, 1950, and was assigned to the Second Engineer Battalion, Second Marine Division, where he was cited for his “honest and faithful service”. After his discharge from active duty in 1952, he joined the U.S.M.C. Reserves, eventually retiring from the 4th Combat Engineer Battalion in Cross Lanes, West Virginia.  He married Rebecca Buckner and the two of them were blessed with a son, William “Chip” Wood. After leaving the service, Paul Wood became an industrious entrepreneur, eventually becoming the owner of the Point Service Store, the New Haven Theater, and the manager of the Mason Drive-in and State Theatre where he spearheaded the theater’s restoration. He was also known for his civic involvement, with membership in the Minturn Lodge No. 19, AF & AM, the Mason County Solid Waste Authority, and the Fort Randolph Committee. He was a member of and helped build the Point Pleasant River Museum; he was also a former Fire Chief for the Point Pleasant Fire Department, and was named as Volunteer of the Year for the Main Street Point Pleasant Organization; and

Whereas, William Milton “Bill” Wood was born to William Lee and Olive Wood on January 2, 1938, and began a long military career while he was still in high school in Point Pleasant, joining the West Virginia Army National Guard. He was later called up for active duty and stationed in Kitzingen, Germany and he also later served on active duty at Fort Polk, Louisiana during the Cuban Missile Crisis period. He began his military service as an Engineer Supply Specialist and soon distinguished himself for exceptional achievement as a logistics and supply specialist with a thorough knowledge of the Army Maintenance Management System. Throughout his service he repeatedly received recognition for his knowledge, judgment, and devotion to duty. He married Barbara Lieving in May 1961 and they were blessed with three children, Shawn, Chris, and Amy. Bill Wood retired on January 2, 1998 after 43 years of service to the Army; and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate the tradition of service of the men of this family and their contributions to their community, to our state, and our country; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number NHPP-0035(202) (11350), carrying U.S. Route 35 over County Route 29 and Little Sixteen Mile Creek in Mason County, the “Wood Brothers Veterans Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to erect signs identifying the bridge as the “Wood Brothers Veterans Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.