HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 31

(By DELEGATES SPONAUGLE, EVANS, A., ROMINE, HAMILTON, HARTMAN, LYNCH AND CAMPBELL)

February 2, 2016

Requesting the Division of Highways to name bridge number 16-48-13.65 (16A124), locally known as Clifford Hollow Bridge, carrying US 48 (Corridor H) over Clifford Hollow in Hardy County, the “Wilbur Lee Clayton Memorial Bridge”.

Whereas, Wilbur Lee Clayton was born in the small town of Moorefield, West Virginia, and attended elementary and high school there before heading off to Potomac State College, followed by West Virginia University; and

Whereas, Wilbur Lee Clayton’s college education was interrupted when he joined the United States Air Force in July, 1963, attended basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, and spent eleven months at Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, Illinois, being trained in Minuteman Missile maintenance; and

Whereas, In July, 1964, he was assigned to the 341^st Missile Maintenance Squadron at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Montana, where his work involved primarily the alignment and targeting of Minuteman Missiles; and

Whereas, After being honorably discharged in July, 1967, Wilbur Lee Clayton resumed his education at Eastern Montana College in Billings, Montana, and following tradition established by his grandfather and grandmother, earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education; and

Whereas, In 1970 he returned east to Franklin County, Virginia to be closer to his parents; remaining there until 1978, at which time he was hired to teach social studies at Moorefield High School, fulfilling a desire to return home to Hardy County and the family farm where he grew up, and where he then built his home, raised his three children, and happily remained until his untimely death in 1992; and

Whereas, Being a positive influence in the lives of hundreds of his junior high and high school students during his twenty-four years of teaching was without question Wilbur Lee Clayton’s greatest contribution to the State of West Virginia; and

Whereas, Being highly respected and genuinely loved by students and colleagues, he was a man of quiet mannerism and subtle sense of humor that was reflected in his teaching style; and

Whereas, Wilbur Lee Clayton’s classroom became a place where students felt comfortable and confident, knowing there was an even playing field.  All were treated the same; consequences were dealt out fairly; rewards were given equally; and

Whereas, There was a two-way exchange of respect between teacher and student; and

Whereas, After all these years after his unexpected death at age fifty-two, his former students praise him for the competent, compassionate, humorous teacher that he was, and still acclaim him as their favorite teacher ever; and

Whereas, There can be no greater contribution than to be this quiet, unassuming man who served his country proudly and then set for himself the task of being a wonderful, competent and compassionate teacher and positive role model.  To honor Wilbur Lee Clayton, who lived a simple life devoted to helping students succeed not only in school, but more importantly, in life; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 1-48-13.65 (16A124), locally known as Clifford Hollow Bridge, carrying US 48 (Corridor H) over Clifford Hollow in Hardy County, the “Wilbur Lee Clayton Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of the Division of Highways is hereby requested to erect signs at both ends of the bridge containing bold and prominent letters proclaiming the bridge the “Wilbur Lee Clayton Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.