HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5072 Offered May 30, 2006 Celebrating the life of William McKinley Crump, Sr. ----------
Patrons-- McClellan, Alexander, Armstrong, BaCote, Dance, Eisenberg, Hall, Howell, A.T., Jones, D.C., McEachin, Melvin, O'Bannon, Spruill, Toscano, Tyler, Valentine, Waddell, Ward and Ware, O.; Senators: Lambert, Lucas, Marsh and Miller
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WHEREAS, William McKinley Crump, Sr., of Richmond, admired citizen, craftsman, and civil rights activist, died on March 24, 2006; and

WHEREAS, along with his eight brothers, William Crump was born and grew up in Franklin, Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, as an industrious nine-year-old boy, William Crump began to work in his father's shop, earning 50 cents a day and learning the art of furniture restoration; and

WHEREAS, during World War II, William Crump was drafted into the United States Army and participated in the landing at Normandy on June 6, 1944; he was later injured and sent to England for medical care and was awarded three Bronze Star Medals for his valiant service to his country; and

WHEREAS, in 1945 William Crump returned home, married his beloved wife, the late Berthel Burnette Crump, and the couple moved to Richmond; and

WHEREAS, known affectionately as "Crump" to his many friends and clients, William Crump was well-known for his skill as a "furniture doctor"; for more than 40 years, he skillfully repaired broken tables, refurbished upholstered chairs and sofas, and restored family keepsakes for countless area residents; and

WHEREAS, William Crump established his first shop, Crump’s Furniture Repair, in Jackson Ward on North 1st Street in 1948; moved his business to Church Hill in 1972; and eventually relocated to 2714 P Street when he became involved with the Model Cities Program (MCP); and

WHEREAS, for many years, William Crump was an active supporter and mentor for a Church Hill MCP vocational program to train young people in furniture repair; and

WHEREAS, committed to improving the quality of life for his fellow citizens, William Crump served as a member of Richmond’s Strategy Team, Church Hill's civic association at the time, CHART, and other civic and church groups; and

WHEREAS, in the early 1980s, William Crump ran a small number of flea markets for about 10 years before retiring; and

WHEREAS, always thinking of others, William Crump will be fondly remembered for his love of gardening and his gifts of fresh produce to friends, family, and neighbors; and

WHEREAS, William McKinley Crump, Sr., will be missed by his three children, Catherine, Ingrid, and William, other loving family members and friends, and the congregation of Moore Street Baptist Church; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of a fine Virginian, William McKinley Crump, Sr.; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of William McKinley Crump, Sr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.