HCR 43 Text

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.

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