HR633: Celebrating the life of Willard Owen Jasper.

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 633

Offered October 16, 2020
Celebrating the life of Willard Owen Jasper.
Patrons-- Sickles and Krizek

WHEREAS, Willard Owen Jasper, a highly admired veteran and an active member of the Alexandria and Fairfax County communities, died on October 4, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Willard Jasper grew up in West Virginia, where he graduated from DuBois High School in Mount Hope; he subsequently earned a bachelor’s degree from what is now West Virginia State University and a master’s degree from American University; and

WHEREAS, Willard Jasper became the first member of West Virginia State University’s Reserve Officers’ Training Program (ROTC) to receive a commission through the United States Army Medical Service Corps; and

WHEREAS, Willard Jasper served as an advisor to the armed forces of the Republic of Vietnam in 1966 and 1967, then returned to the United States and served with the 101st Airborne Division and the 82nd Airborne Division; and

WHEREAS, in 1969, Willard Jasper was assigned to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center as an information systems director; he later served as director of plans and contractual support for the Tri-Service Medical Information System Group under the U.S. Department of Defense; and

WHEREAS, during his distinguished military career, Willard Jasper received the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Air Medal, among others, and he retired in 1980 as a lieutenant colonel; and

WHEREAS, in civilian life, Willard Jasper worked as vice president of civil and commercial activities for International Business Services, director of District of Columbia operations for First Health Services Corporation, and vice president and director of corporate services for DICHROMA, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, Willard Jasper generously volunteered his time and wise leadership to support many community organizations, including the Lee District RECenter and the Fairfax County Public Library; he also served on the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority for 12 years and was an election poll worker for 25 years; and

WHEREAS, Willard Jasper was a founding member of the Psi Alpha Alpha Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, where he founded the Project Manhood youth life skills program and was named as a chaplain emeritus after serving as the fraternity’s Third District chaplain for 17 years; and

WHEREAS, Willard Jasper worked to further strengthen the community as treasurer and president of the Northern Virginia Urban League Guild and treasurer of the National Council of Urban League Guilds; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of his legacy of civic leadership, Willard Jasper was selected by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors as Lord Fairfax in 2006, the same year he was inducted into the West Virginia State University ROTC Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Willard Jasper enjoyed fellowship and worship with the community as a longtime member of Alfred Street Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, a leader of several church committees, and a charter member of the Voices of Triumph choir; and

WHEREAS, Willard Jasper will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 56 years, Darhyl; his daughter, Nyka, and her family; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Willard Owen Jasper; 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 Willard Owen Jasper as an expression of the House of Delegates’ respect for his memory.


HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 633
Celebrating the life of Willard Owen Jasper.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, October 16, 2020

 

WHEREAS, Willard Owen Jasper, a highly admired veteran and an active member of the Alexandria and Fairfax County communities, died on October 4, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Willard Jasper grew up in West Virginia, where he graduated from DuBois High School in Mount Hope; he subsequently earned a bachelor’s degree from what is now West Virginia State University and a master’s degree from American University; and

WHEREAS, Willard Jasper became the first member of West Virginia State University’s Reserve Officers’ Training Program (ROTC) to receive a commission through the United States Army Medical Service Corps; and

WHEREAS, Willard Jasper served as an advisor to the armed forces of the Republic of Vietnam in 1966 and 1967, then returned to the United States and served with the 101st Airborne Division and the 82nd Airborne Division; and

WHEREAS, in 1969, Willard Jasper was assigned to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center as an information systems director; he later served as director of plans and contractual support for the Tri-Service Medical Information System Group under the United States Department of Defense; and

WHEREAS, during his distinguished military career, Willard Jasper received the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Air Medal, among others, and he retired in 1980 as a lieutenant colonel; and

WHEREAS, in civilian life, Willard Jasper worked as vice president of civil and commercial activities for International Business Services, director of the District of Columbia operations for First Health Services Corporation, and vice president and director of corporate services for DICHROMA, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, Willard Jasper generously volunteered his time and wise leadership to support many community organizations, including the Lee District RECenter and the Fairfax County Public Library; he served on the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority for 12 years and was an election poll worker for 25 years; and

WHEREAS, Willard Jasper was a founding member of the Psi Alpha Alpha Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, where he founded the Project Manhood youth life skills program and was named as a chaplain emeritus after serving as the fraternity’s Third District chaplain for 17 years; and

WHEREAS, Willard Jasper worked to further strengthen the community as treasurer and president of the Northern Virginia Urban League Guild and treasurer of the National Council of Urban League Guilds; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of his legacy of civic leadership, Willard Jasper was selected by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors as Lord Fairfax in 2006, the same year he was inducted into the West Virginia State University ROTC Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Willard Jasper enjoyed fellowship and worship with the community as a longtime member of Alfred Street Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, a leader of several church committees, and a charter member of the Voices of Triumph choir; and

WHEREAS, Willard Jasper will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 56 years, Darhyl; his daughter, Nyka, and her family; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Willard Owen Jasper; 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 Willard Owen Jasper as an expression of the House of Delegates’ respect for his memory.