HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 54

(By Delegates R. Smith, Shaffer, J. Nelson and Wagner)

February 11, 2016

Requesting the Division of Highways to name Bridge Number 39-73/73-8.46 (39A143) (39.65892, -79.63833), locally known as Bruceton Mills Bridge, carrying County Route 73/73 over Big Sandy Creek in Bruceton Mills, Preston County, the "Byron ‘Bray’ Kelley Memorial Bridge".

Whereas, Byron "Bray" Kelley was born in the Centenary area of Preston County to Albon and Sadie Kelley on April 26, 1926. "Bray" was the 6th of 7 children. His elder siblings included eldest brother, Junior, twin sisters, Mary and Martha, brother, Harry, and sister, Jean. Bray was closest in age and had a strong bond to his younger brother Willard. Bray loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting more than fishing. His father was a farmer and was also employed at the Woolen Mills near Bruceton Mills. Bray attended school at the Union Grove School, which was a one room school in the Bruceton Mills area. Bray was a worker and a doer. He left school at age 16 to begin working. He was first employed on a clearing crew for the Youghiogheny Dam. When that job was over he went to work for the Monongahela Power Company, clearing land for power line right-of- ways; and

Whereas, Bray was drafted into the Army at age 18 and placed in the 17th infantry during WWII. He had just turned 19 years old when he was killed in action on May 7, 1945, in the Battle of Okinawa, Japan, the last and bloodiest battle in the Pacific Theater. This was also the day Germany surrendered, ending the war in Europe. Although he is sadly missed by his family, he is a Preston County Hero who gave the ultimate sacrifice to his country. He now proudly rests in the West Virginia National Cemetery at Grafton, West Virginia; and

Whereas, The short life and sacrifice of "Byron ‘Bray’ Kelley should not go unnoticed and the naming of a bridge in his name is fitting and proper; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name Bridge Number 39-73/73-8.46 (39A143) (39.65892, -79.63833), locally known as Bruceton Mills Bridge, carrying County Route 73/73 over Big Sandy Creek in Bruceton Mills, Preston County, the "Byron ‘Bray’ Kelley Memorial Bridge"; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the "Byron ‘Bray’ Kelley Memorial Bridge"; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Secretary of the Department of Transportation, and any surviving relatives of Byron “Bray” Kelley.