HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 242 Offered January 17, 2008 Celebrating the life of William White Deskins. ---------- Patron-- Bowling ----------

WHEREAS, William White Deskins of Tazewell, a respected businessman, community supporter, and beloved citizen, died on February 25, 2007; and

WHEREAS, William Deskins was born in Yukon, West Virginia, on December 8, 1937, the son of the late John Albert Deskins and Hazel Virginia White Deskins, graduated from Big Creek High School in West Virginia, received a bachelor’s degree from Western Kentucky University, and served his country in the United States Army; and

WHEREAS, committed to improving the quality of life of his fellow residents, William Deskins served on the Tazewell County School Board and was a member of the founding committees of both the Tazewell Area Chamber of Commerce and the Tazewell Recreation Board; and

WHEREAS, a hardworking businessman, William Deskins was the vice president of Deskins Super Markets, Inc., and the past president of the West Virginia Grocery Association; he received the coveted Spirit of America award from the National Grocers Association for his exemplary leadership and many contributions to the food distribution industry; and

WHEREAS, over the years, William Deskins gave his time and many talents to numerous civic organizations, including as a longtime member of the American Legion Post No. 133 and the Tazewell Rotary Club; and he was named a Paul Harris Fellow and Skelton Fellow; and

WHEREAS, always willing to help citizens in need in his community, William Deskins was a faithful member of the Main Street United Methodist Church, supportive of the church’s missions at home and abroad, and served the church in many capacities; he was also an active member of the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church Foundation; and

WHEREAS, William Deskins will be fondly remembered for his devotion to his family and his community and greatly missed by his beloved wife, Joy Sue Pruett Deskins; his daughter, Amee Beth Deskins; his son, William Gregory Deskins, and his wife Cynthia, and two wonderful grandchildren, Adam and Katie; his numerous other loving relatives and good friends; and the citizens of Tazewell; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of a dedicated community leader and outstanding Virginian, William White Deskins; 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 White Deskins as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.