[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 71 (Monday, May 23, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E918]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            IN REMEMBRANCE OF MR. WILLIAM G. BATCHELDER JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 23, 2011

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of Mr. William 
G. Batchelder Jr., a prominent lawyer and civic leader from Medina, 
Ohio, who passed away at the age of 96 on May 7, 2011.
  Mr. Batchelder was born on July 30, 1914 in Cleveland's Collinwood 
neighborhood. His family moved to Medina in 1929, and in 1932 he 
graduated from Medina High School. Upon graduating, William went on to 
study economics and history at Ohio Wesleyan University. During his 
senior year, he was awarded a scholarship to attend the University of 
Cincinnati Law School; he passed the Ohio bar exam in 1939.
  William returned to Medina in the summer of 1939 with his wife 
Eleanor and immediately opened his own private practice. Just five 
months later, he decided to run for Medina County Prosecutor, and would 
serve in this position from 1941 until 1953. While serving as 
Prosecutor, in 1942, William enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served his 
country bravely in the South Pacific during World War II for three 
years, and rose to the rank of sergeant. Meanwhile, back in Medina, he 
became the father of his first child and was re-elected as County 
Prosecutor.
  In the 1950s Mr. Batchelder completed his duties as County Prosecutor 
and began working as a trial lawyer with the Cleveland law firm of 
Thompson, Hine & Flory. However, in 1957, he left the prominent firm 
and formed a partnership with Harold Williams in Medina; the firm was 
named Williams and Batchelder. He would continue to try cases until the 
age of 93.
  In addition to William's impressive career, he was also a dedicated 
community leader. In 1946, he was elected as the director of the Medina 
Chamber of Commerce and as chairman of the Medina County Rent Control 
Committee. Several years later, in 1952, William was elected as 
president of the Medina County Bar Association. Throughout the years he 
was involved with the Medina County Boy Scouts, Medina Community Chest, 
United Way of Medina County and served as president of the Medina City 
School Board of Education. Mr. Batchelder also sat as chairman of the 
Medina County Republican Party Executive Committee during the 1950s and 
1980s.
  Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in remembrance of Mr. 
William G. Batchelder. I extend my deepest condolences to his five 
children, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

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