Introduced Version
House Concurrent Resolution 43 History
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HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 43
(By Delegates
Shott, Gearheart, Ellington and Moore
)
Requesting the Division of Highways name the segment of U.S. Route
52 from the intersection of State Route 71, Lorton Lick Road,
south through Bluewell, West Virginia, for 2.4 miles to the
intersection of U.S. Route 52 and State Route 123, Airport
Road, in Mercer County, the "Dr. William Prudich Memorial
Highway".
Whereas, William Prudich was born on February 12, 1927, in
Prenter, Fayette County, West Virginia, the son of the late Anton
Prudich and Katrina Albrecht Prudich, immigrants from Yugoslavia,
the sixth of eight children, all of whom attended college and
became professionals; and
Whereas, After his schooling at Powellton Grade School,
Montgomery Junior High and Montgomery High School, William Prudich
attended West Virginia State College. However, his education was
interrupted by his service in the U.S. Army, where he attained the
rank of Master Sergeant while serving in Korea in the aftermath of
World War II; and
Whereas
, Following his honorable discharge from the Army,
William Prudich returned to West Virginia and completed his undergraduate degree at West Virginia University. Upon graduating,
he was admitted to medical school at Indiana University where he
attained a medical degree; and
Whereas
, After completing his residency at Akron Hospital in
Akron, Ohio, Dr. William Prudich returned home and began his
medical practice at Mullens Hospital in Wyoming County. It was
there he met his future wife, Phyllis Houck; and
Whereas
, At the urging of a friend, Dr. William Prudich moved
"temporarily" to Montcalm, West Virginia, in 1955 to help treat
coal miners and their families working at Crane Creek in McComas,
West Virginia; and
Whereas, Dr. William Prudich settled in Montcalm and married
the love of his life, Phyllis, on September 8, 1956, and they
immediately started a family; and
Whereas, Unfortunately tragedy struck the life of Dr. William
Prudich on November 17, 1967, when his beloved wife was killed in
an automobile accident at the age of 31, leaving him alone to raise
five children ranging in age from 16 months to ten years of age.
Dr. Prudich never remarried, and he made the raising of his
children and his medical practice the purpose of his life; and
Whereas, As a staunch supporter of education, Dr. William
Prudich successfully fought for a new elementary and high school
for Montcalm; and
Whereas, Dr. William Prudich was actively involved in his community and was instrumental in starting the Rock District
Improvement Corporation to help deal with issues of poverty and
need in the area. He also began a community christmas tree program
and helped found the Montcalm Volunteer Fire Department, both of
which continue to this day. Dr. Prudich was involved in numerous
associations and those most important to him included the American
Cancer Society, Bluefield Rescue Squad, Mercer County Medical
Association, Montcalm PTA/PTO, Mercer County Schools Improvement
Council, and the Bluewell Lions Club; and
Whereas, Dr. William Prudich believed practicing medicine was
a higher calling, and he always carried his doctor's bag with him.
He never turned anyone away and treated all of his patients,
including those with no ability to pay, with dignity, respect and
loving care; and
Whereas, Remembered affectionately by those who knew him simply
as "Doc," Dr. William Prudich was a good and honorable man who
taught by example and believed it was important to look out for
your fellow man; and
Whereas, It is fitting and proper, that Dr. William Prudich be
remembered and acknowledged for his contributions to his community
and dedicated service to his fellow man; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name that
segment of U.S. Route 52 from the intersection of State Route 71, the Lorton Lick interchange, south through Bluewell, West Virginia,
for three miles to the intersection of U.S. Route 52 and State
Route 123, Airport Road, in Mercer County, the "Dr. William Prudich
Memorial Highway"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of the Division of
Highways is hereby requested to erect signs containing bold and
prominent letters on both the north and south end of this section
of U.S. Route 52 proclaiming the highway as the "Dr. William
Prudich Memorial Highway"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates
forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of
the Division of Highways and to the surviving family of Dr. William
Prudich.