HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 22

(By Delegate Hanna)

[Introduced March 3, 2021]

Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number: 51-022/00-000.16  (51A094), (38.51804, -80.44792) locally known as GRASSY CREEK BX BM, carrying CR 22 over GRASSY CREEK in Webster County, the “U. S. Army PVT E- Bill O’Dell Memorial Bridge”.

Whereas, William Richard O’Dell was born August 4, 1937, in Osage, West Virginia; and

Whereas, He served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict in the rocket launcher section and guarded the Czechoslovakian border; and

Whereas, After his return from the military, Bill married the love of his life. Sondra Fae Tracy, on November 1, 1954, and together they raised five daughters in a home on Orndorff Road. beside the Orndorff Church on Big Grassy Creek Road; and

Whereas, Bill was a humble and true man of God who enjoyed going to church and teaching the Holy Bible in church throughout Webster and Nicholas Counties; and

Whereas, Bill developed severe depression when his wife and two daughters died, which led to dementia and ultimately, Alzheimer’s. He passed away at his home on October 21, 2015, with his family by his side.; and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate U. S. Army PVT E- Bill O’Dell and his contributions to our state and country; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number: 51-022/00-000.16  (51A094), (38.51804, -80.44792) locally known as GRASSY CREEK BX BM, carrying CR 22 over GRASSY CREEK in Webster County, the “U. S. Army PVT E- Bill O’Dell Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the bridge as the “U. S. Army PVT E- Bill O’Dell 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.