Recalled

March 23, 2023

S. 659

Introduced by Senators Matthews and Senn

S. Printed 03/23/23--S.

Read the first time March 22, 2023

________

A concurrent RESOLUTION

TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME the bridge located at U.S. 17 over the Ashepoo River IN Colleton COUNTY "councilman W. Gene Whetsell bridge" AND ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS AT THIS LOCATION CONTAINING THE DESIGNATION.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Councilman W. Gene Whetsell on January 4th, 2023; and

Whereas, a native of Bowman, Councilman Whetsell was born on October 29, 1936. As a teenager, he worked on a neighbor's dairy farm milking cows by hand each morning before school. An accomplished athlete, he led his high school baseball team to a state championship in 1953; and

Whereas, Councilman Whetsell's passion for the game of baseball, along with his love for children, drove him to invest more than twelve years coaching and an additional thirty-four years umpiring boys' baseball and girls' softball, including numerous state high school championship games as well as Division 1 college games; and

Whereas, Councilman Whetsell's professional life was largely dominated by his work outdoors and his fifty-seven years as a Registered Land Surveyor as well as his life-long passion for service to others. He served in the National Guard, worked for the South Carolina Department of Transportation, and served for twenty years as Colleton County's first Tax Assessor; and

Whereas, Councilman Whetsell was elected to Colleton County Council in 2002, where he served continuously until earlier this month. In Colleton County, he served on the Recreation Commission, Fire Commission, and Planning Commission. He also represented the county on the Lowcountry Council of Governments; and

Whereas, over the years, Councilman Whetsell has accomplished many important projects for the city of Colleton, including devising and leading a four-year project that mapped and appraised every parcel of real property in Colleton County for the first time; surveying from the South Carolina-Georgia border to Route 176, which is now I-95; helping build the Colleton Rec. Area Complexes and twelve athletic fields; leading the effort to unify fourteen separate fire regions into a single, efficient district; attaining the top rating for the county's Fire-Rescue program; completing the county's Farmers Market and Museum; and renovating and preserving numerous local and historic buildings; and

Whereas, for more than sixty-five years, Councilman Whetsell dedicated his time to making Colleton County a better place for youth in his community, and his service to others earned the respect of his colleagues; and

Whereas, Councilman Whetsell's life was an example of the values and virtues of hard work, personal responsibility, faith in God, devotion to family and love for Colleton. He was known for his quick wit and his unique storytelling ability; and

Whereas, Councilman Whetsell was preceded in death by his beloved fifteen-year-old grandson; and

Whereas, Councilman Whetsell leaves to cherish his memory his wife Kathie Padgett Whetsell; his brother Ashley (Darla); his sister Gwen; his daughters Deryl Paradis (Gerry), Terri Johnk (Fritz), and Carmen Johnson; his sons David Long and Walter Gene Whetsell, Jr. (Kim); his grandchildren Ashlyn, Hans (Kim), and Gabe Johnk, Taylor, Walter Gene III (Caitlyn), and Emma Whetsell, Kelly Banks (Mikey), Case, and Brayes Johnson, and Lauren Long; and his great-grandchildren Sawyer, Bailey, Myka and Eli Maronn, Ada Mae and Mina Jo Johnk, Kayla, Justin, and River Banks, and Autumn Jennings. He will be greatly missed; and

Whereas, it would be only fitting and proper to pay tribute to this son of South Carolina by naming a portion of road in the State in his honor. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, request that the Department of Transportation name the bridge located at U.S. 17 over the Ashepoo River in Colleton County "Councilman W. Gene Whetsell Bridge" and erect appropriate markers or signs at this location containing the designation.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Department of Transportation and presented to the family of W. Gene Whetsell.

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