Bill Text: VA SJR147 | 2022 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of William Quinton Overton, Sr.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-1)
Status: (Passed) 2022-02-28 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ147ER) [SJR147 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2022-SJR147-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, William Quinton Overton, Sr., an esteemed law-enforcement officer and public servant who held the office of sheriff of Franklin County for more than 30 years, died on October 5, 2021; and
WHEREAS, William "Quint" Overton began his career in law enforcement in 1959 with the Virginia State Police and served briefly with the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control in the early 1970s before being elected sheriff of Franklin County in 1975; and
WHEREAS, Quint Overton would lead the sheriff's office of Franklin County from January 1, 1976, until his retirement in 2007, concluding his service as the longest sitting sheriff in the history of Franklin County; and
WHEREAS, Quint Overton's resounding election victories throughout his career testify to his constituency's appreciation for his service and the efforts he made to build the Franklin County Sheriff's Office into the institution that it is today; and
WHEREAS, Quint Overton cared for the needs of each and every citizen of Franklin County and earned respect throughout the community for his willingness to make himself available and accessible to everyone; and
WHEREAS, Quint Overton approached the role of sheriff as that of a steward, beginning the custom of the Franklin County Sheriff's Office sending deputies to escort and attend the funeral processions of citizens of Franklin County, a time-honored tradition that continues to this day; and
WHEREAS, Quint Overton's commitment to the well-being of his community was also evidenced by his active involvement in youth sports, particularly Franklin County's sandlot football league, in which he coached for many years; and
WHEREAS, preceded in death by his loving wife of 59 years, Ann Marie, Quint Overton will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his children, William, Jr., and David, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of William Quinton Overton, Sr., longtime sheriff of Franklin County, whose unwavering compassion and concern for others affected countless lives; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of William Quinton Overton, Sr., as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.
