SENATE RESOLUTION 55

(By Senators Stover, Blair (Mr. President), Azinger, Barrett, Boley, Caputo, Chapman, Clements, Deeds, Grady, Hamilton, Hunt, Jeffries, Karnes, Maroney, Martin, Maynard, Nelson, Oliverio, Phillips, Plymale, Queen, Roberts, Rucker, Smith, Stuart, Swope, Takubo, Tarr, Taylor, Trump, Weld, Woelfel, and Woodrum)

[Introduced February 27, 2024]

Memorializing the life of the Honorable William Wayne Bailey, Jr., former Sheriff of Wyoming County, former member of the West Virginia National Guard, former Deputy Secretary of the Department of Veterans Assistance, former member of the West Virginia Senate, statesman, and dedicated public servant.

Whereas, The Honorable William Wayne Bailey, Jr., was born June 7, 1957, in Bluefield, Mercer County, the son of Ellen Jack Lester Lusk and the late William Wayne Bailey, Sr; and

Whereas, The Honorable William Wayne Bailey, Jr., received his education from Southern West Virginia Community College; Morris Harvey College, and Marshall University; and

Whereas, The Honorable William Wayne Bailey, Jr., was appointed to the West Virginia Senate from the ninth senatorial district on January 8, 1991, to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Juliet Walker Rundle; and

Whereas, The Honorable William Wayne Bailey, Jr., was elected to the West Virginia Senate in 1992, and was reelected in 1996, 2000, and 2004; and

Whereas, The Honorable William Wayne Bailey, Jr., decided not to seek reelection to the Senate in 2008; and

Whereas, The Honorable William Wayne Bailey, Jr., served as Senate Majority Whip during the 72nd, 73rd, 74th, 75th, 76th, 77th, and 78th Legislatures. He served as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Government Organization, and served on the committees on Confirmations, Education, Enrolled Bills, Finance, Health and Human Resources, and Military. He also served as Vice Chairman of the Joint Committee on Government Operations, and served on the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability, Joint Committee on Health and Human Resources, and the Legislative Intern Committee; and

Whereas, In addition to his service in the West Virginia Senate, the Honorable William Wayne Bailey, Jr., served as Sheriff of Wyoming County, as a member of the West Virginia National Guard, and as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Veterans Assistance; and

Whereas, Sadly, the Honorable William Wayne Bailey, Jr., passed away May 14, 2023, bringing an end to a colorful life that was devoted to faith, family, and public service; and

Whereas, It is fitting that the Senate honor the life and public service of The Honorable William Wayne Bailey, Jr., for his dedicated public service to a grateful state and nation; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby memorializes the life of the Honorable William Wayne Bailey, Jr., former Sheriff of Wyoming County, former member of the West Virginia National Guard, former Deputy Secretary of the Department of Veterans Assistance, former member of the West Virginia Senate, statesman, and dedicated public servant; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Senate hereby extends its sincere sympathies to the family of the Honorable William Wayne Bailey, Jr. on his passing; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the family of the Honorable William Wayne Bailey, Jr.