Virginia SR 94: Celebrating the life of William Reese Hess.

Bill Text

2024SESSION
ENROLLED
SENATERESOLUTIONNO.94
Celebrating the life of William Reese Hess.
AgreedtobytheSenate,February29,2024
WHEREAS, William Reese Hess of Richlands, an honorable veteran, hard-working coal miner,
life-long Virginian, and beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, died on December 9,
2023, at age 96; and
WHEREAS, after attending Richlands High School, William "Bill" Hess began his career as a coal
miner in 1945, then was drafted on November 8, 1945, and served as a corporal in the United States
Army Air Forces during the Occupation of Japan at the conclusion of World War II; and
WHEREAS, Bill Hess completed training at Fort Meade in Maryland, Fort McClellan in Alabama,
and Camp Stoneman in California before departing for Japan; and
WHEREAS, Bill Hess arrived in Yokohama, Japan, on March 30, 1946, and remained there for nine
and a half months before being honorably discharged and returning to Richlands in February 1947; and
WHEREAS, upon his return to the United States, Bill Hess resumed his career as a coal miner and
ultimately worked 42 years for the Jewell Ridge Coal Corporation, the Pittston Coal Company, and at
Sea B Mining No. 2 in addition to the Jewell Valley No. 2 and No. 11 mines, until his retirement in
1987; and
WHEREAS, Bill Hess joined the United Mine Workers of America in 1945 and was a 78-year
member of UMWA Local No. 1760 in Seaboard at the time of his death; and
WHEREAS, Bill Hess served the community for five decades as a member of the Richlands Masonic
Lodge No. 318 A.F. and A.M., Scottish Rite, Kazim Temple, and the Tazewell-Russell Shrine Club,
where he was named Shriner of the Year in 2000; and
WHEREAS, Bill Hess was strong in his faith and enjoyed serving the congregations at the West
Fork Presbyterian Chapel and Richlands Presbyterian Church for more than 40 years as an elder, Sunday
school superintendent, Sunday school teacher, and chair of various committees; and
WHEREAS, at the time of his death, Bill Hess had been a 23-year member of the First Christian
Church in Richlands, where he was an elder and a member of the Christian Men's Fellowship; and
WHEREAS, outside of his career, faith, and community service, Bill Hess enjoyed Virginia Tech
football, professional baseball and football, camping, "old-time" country music, working in his garden,
and giving away vegetables to his family, friends, neighbors, and church family; and
WHEREAS, predeceased by his wife of more than 70 years, Clara, and one son, William, Jr., Bill
Hess will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his son, John; grandson, Brady; daughter-in-law,
Lynnette; sister, Helen; sister-in-law, Peggy; and numerous other family members and friends; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of William Reese
Hess; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for
presentation to the family of William Reese Hess as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's respect for
his memory.
ENROLLED
SR94ER