Bill Text: WV HCR46 | 2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: U. S. Navy BM1 Farris Burton Memorial Bridge
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 3-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2021-04-06 - To Transportation and Infrastructure [HCR46 Detail]
Download: West_Virginia-2021-HCR46-Introduced.html
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 46
(By Delegates Linville, Maynard and J. Jeffries)
[Introduced March 12, 2021; Referred to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure then Rules ]
Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number: 22-037/00-003.29 (22A163), (38.09662, -82.18916) locally known as Fourteen Mile Tub Girder Bridge, carrying WV 37 over Fourteen Mile Creek in Lincoln County, the “U. S. Navy BM1 Farris Burton Memorial Bridge”.
Whereas, Farris Burton was born April 26, 1925, in Logan County, WV, to Carr and Bessie Burton. He grew up in Amherstdale near Man, WV, along with his siblings. This is also where he met his first love and future wife of 54 years, Bessie (Hager); and
Whereas, BM1 Farris Burton enlisted in the United States Navy on April 26, 1942, his 17th birthday, during World War II. During the next four years of service, he travelled to six continents and served on the ships FIRETHORN and ZAANDAM. He bravely served his country during wartime aboard ship across the seas earning medals for service, bravery and heroism; and
Whereas, As an old man, decades after the war, a fellow sailor contacted BM1 Farris Burton to thank him for saving his life by pulling him, nearly unconscious, aboard a lifeboat. In a separate incident, without regard for his personal safety, BM1 Farris Burton took off his own life jacket and gave it to another man who was struggling in turbulent waters overboard their capsized ship. During his tenure, he survived not one, but two sinking ships, once sailing in a damaged lifeboat for 8 days before the survivors made landfall off the coast of Brazil. It was during his days aboard ship that he said a still small voice began speaking to his conscience. BM1 Farris Burton would later not only give his life to the Lord but become an ordained minister leading hundreds of souls to Christ; and
Whereas, BM1 Farris Burton received an honorable discharge from duty on April 26, 1946. For his service, BM1 Farris Burton received numerous awards, including the Navy and Marine Corp Medal for outstanding duty, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Discharge Button, and the Honorable Discharge Button; and
Whereas, After his service in the US Navy, BM1 Farris Burton became a family man and he and his wife Bessie made their home in Ranger, WV, raising nine children. Farris worked as a coal miner and for the WV Department of Highways to provide for his family while also spending countless hours traveling the roads of Lincoln, Logan and surrounding counties to preach the gospel of Christ and minister to those in need; and
Whereas, BM1 Farris Burton became an ordained minister in the Bethlehem Association of United Baptist Churches in 1956 and, at the time of his passing, was the longest tenured minister in the association. During his time in the ministry, he performed approximately 400 marriages. He served as pastor at Center Point United Baptist Church in West Hamlin, WV, for 18 years until 1977 when he retired. He continued to preach the Lord’s message in regular appointments until recent years when his health declined, and he was no longer able; and
Whereas, BM1 Farris Burton was preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his children, Bessie (Hager) as well as three children: Ivan (Shirley) Burton, Gloria Donahue, David (Kathy) Burton, a son-in-law, Donald Salmons, and infant granddaughter, Michelle; and
Whereas, BM1 Farris Burton was survived by his wife of 22 years, Mildred (Thompson). He is also survived by six children: Farris Jr. (Sandra) of West Hamlin, WV; Carolyn Salmons of Canton, OH; Darrell (Coni) Burton of Williamstown, WV; Janice “Darlene” Colegrove (George) of Salt Rock, WV; Beth “Amy” Jackson (Ray) of Surfside Beach, SC; Rebecca Clay (Cameron) of Hamlin, WV; and a son-in-law, Keith Donahue I (Betsy) of Culloden, WV. Papaw Burton is lovingly remembered by his 26 grandchildren, 55 great-grandchildren and a great, great-grandchild, all of whom he taught to pray, wink, snap, joke and was always there to give chewing gum or other goodies. Farris is also survived by a large, loving extended family and church family; and
Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate BM1 Farris Burton and his contributions to our state and country; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number: 22-037/00-003.29 (22A163), (38.09662, -82.18916) locally known as Fourteen Mile Tub Girder Bridge, carrying WV 37 over Fourteen Mile Creek in Lincoln county., the “U. S. Navy BM1 Farris Burton Memorial Bridge”; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the bridge as the “U. S. Navy BM1 Farris Burton Memorial Bridge”; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.
