SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 13
(By Senators McCabe, Foster, Sprouse, Harrison,
Tomblin, Mr. President, Bailey, Barnes, Boley, Bowman, Caruth,
Chafin, Deem, Dempsey, Edgell, Facemyer, Fanning, Guills,
Helmick, Hunter, Jenkins, Kessler, Lanham, Love, McKenzie,
Minard, Minear, Oliverio, Plymale, Prezioso, Sharpe,
Unger, Weeks, White and Yoder)
Memorializing the life of the Honorable Roland "Joe" Savilla,
former educator, U. S. Army Colonel, Director of the West
Virginia Department of Veterans' Affairs and member of the
West Virginia Legislature.
Whereas, Roland "Joe" Savilla, the son of Anthony and Mary
(Contenta) Savilla, was born May 13, 1916, in Kanawha County. He
received his education in public schools, earned an AB degree from
the University of Michigan and undertook graduate work at George
Washington University; and
Whereas, Roland "Joe" Savilla was a teacher at South
Charleston High School from 1940 to 1941; and
Whereas, Roland "Joe" Savilla served his nation with pride and
distinction in the United States Army. He was a career soldier who
joined the Army in 1941 and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in
1942. He served in the China-Burma-India Theater from 1943 to 1945
and in the European Theater from 1951 to 1954 and from 1956 to 1958. He also served in Korea from 1964 to 1965 and in Vietnam
from 1966 to 1967. He attended the Army Command General Staff
College from 1950 to 1951 and the Industrial College of the Armed
Forces from 1958 to 1959. He commanded the 11th Airborne Support
Group in 1957, the 472nd Quartermaster Group from 1962 to 1964, the
8th Army Support Command from 1964 to 1965, the Atlantic Army Depot
from 1965 to 1966 and the 506 Field Army Depot in Vietnam from 1966
to 1967. He retired as a highly decorated Colonel on August 18,
1971, after 30 years in the United States Army; and
Whereas, In 1973, Roland "Joe" Savilla began his public
service to the citizens of West Virginia with his election to the
House of Delegates. He was elected to the Senate from the eighth
Senatorial District in 1974 and served until 1978; and
Whereas, During his tenure as a member of the Senate, the
Honorable Roland "Joe" Savilla served as a member of the Senate
committees on Confirmations, Education, Public Institutions,
Transportation and as Vice Chairman of the Committee on Military;
and
Whereas, After leaving the Senate, the Honorable Roland "Joe"
Savilla was appointed by Governor John D. Rockefeller IV as
Director of the West Virginia Department of Veterans' Affairs in
January 1979; and
Whereas, Sadly, on February 7, 2005, the Honorable Roland
"Joe" Savilla passed away, leaving behind his loving wife, Betty Jo Savilla; daughters Mariann Savilla of Charleston, South Carolina,
and Paulette Workman of St. Albans; sons Eric Martin of Elkview and
Mark Martin of Red House; six grandchildren; several nephews and a
niece; and his faithful dog, Benji; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate:
That the Senate hereby memorializes the life of the Honorable
Roland "Joe" Savilla, former educator, U. S. Army Colonel, Director
of the West Virginia Department of Veterans' Affairs and member of
the West Virginia Legislature; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Senate hereby extends its sincere
sympathy to the family and friends of the Honorable Roland "Joe"
Savilla; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward
a copy of this resolution to the family of the late Honorable
Roland "Joe" Savilla.