[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 30 (Monday, February 27, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E243-E244]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING WILLARD ``BILL'' LINEWEAVER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FRANK R. WOLF

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 27, 2012

  Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize and honor Willard 
``Bill'' Lineweaver, who served as a mayor and councilman of Warrenton, 
VA. Mr. Lineweaver passed away on February 15, at the age of 89.
  Bill Lineweaver was a great public servant, model citizen and a 
personal friend of mine. He will be honored and remembered by many, 
especially his wife, Elizabeth ``Bizz'', his three daughters Beth, 
Babs, and Bitsy, his many friends, colleagues and all who knew him.
  Mr. Speaker I submit the following obituary.

                   [From Fauquier.com, Feb. 16, 2012]

            Former Warrenton Mayor Lineweaver Dies at Age 89

       Retired Warrenton businessman J. Willard ``Bill'' 
     Lineweaver, who served on the Warrenton Town Council from 
     1959 until 1974, then was mayor from 1974 until 1998, died 
     Feb. 15.
       Lineweaver, 89, had recently fallen at his home on 
     Winchester Street, suffering a head injury. He was taken 
     first to Fauquier Hospital before being transferred to the 
     ICU at the University of Virginia Medical Center in 
     Charlottesville.
       He was later taken to a rehabilitation facility in 
     Lexington, Va., near the home of his daughter, Beth Knapp.
       News of his death has shocked the community, as there was 
     great hope and expectation for his recovery and return to 
     Warrenton.
       Lineweaver's nearly 40 years as a councilman and mayor of 
     Warrenton was unprecedented. In fact, he ran unopposed for 
     his last three terms on town council, as well as all six 
     terms as mayor.
       He led the town through periods of great change, and after 
     his last term as mayor, he continued to be involved with 
     other important issues, including the acquisition and re-use 
     of Vint Hill Farms Station, the U.S. Army post east of 
     Warrenton.
       Originally from the Shenandoah Valley, Lineweaver came to 
     Fauquier County when he was six years old. His father managed 
     Whitewood Farm near The Plains, and Lineweaver grew up on the 
     farm and attended public schools.
       On Dec. 7, 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. After Basic 
     Training, he was sent to Ft. Benning, Ga., where he received 
     training as a communications specialist and was promoted to 
     the rank of sergeant.
       Home on leave, Lineweaver married the former Elizabeth 
     ``Bizz'' Carter of Warrenton in May 1943.
       His training complete, Sgt. Lineweaver was assigned to the 
     Antitank Company of the 393rd Infantry Regiment of the 99th 
     Infantry Division, and mid-October 1944, his unit was sent to 
     fight in the European Theater of Operations.

[[Page E244]]

       Shortly after arriving, the 99th was positioned along the 
     Seigfried Line near Krinkelt, Belgium, defending a 19-mile 
     front from advancing German forces.
       On Dec. 16, 1944, the Germans launched what became known as 
     the Battle of the Bulge, a massive assault on the Allied 
     lines.
       Sgt. Lineweaver's unit was pushed back to the hills west of 
     Krinkelt, where they held the line until the weather cleared 
     and Allied airpower stopped the attack.
       Later, the 99th was involved in the battle for the Remagen 
     Bridge and the clean up of German resistance in the Rhur 
     Pocket during March and April 1945.
       He was awarded the Bronze Star medal with three battle 
     stars and other military decorations for his combat service.
       Returning home to Warrenton after the war, Lineweaver got 
     into the retail business, operating the H. B. Carter 
     furniture store on Main Street for many years.
       In 1959, he was convinced by then-Mayor Richard Marriott to 
     run for town council and won, beginning a long career 
     representing the people of Warrenton, and later providing 
     vision and leadership as mayor.
       In his role as mayor, Lineweaver became well known in the 
     commonwealth, serving on a number of statewide boards and 
     committees, and working with mayors of other towns and cities 
     sharing his response to the problems and opportunities as he 
     encountered in Warrenton.
       He served as president of the Virginia Municipal League in 
     1988 89.
       Celebrating their 68th wedding anniversary last May, Mr. 
     and Mrs. Lineweaver were the proud parents of three 
     daughters, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
       He was a long-time member of St. James Episcopal Church and 
     served as a vestryman for many years. He also belonged to the 
     Warrenton Rotary Club and the Fauquier Club.
       Lineweaver's funeral will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, Feb. 
     20, at St. James Episcopal Church. The family will receive 
     friends from 1 to 3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 19, at Moser Funeral 
     Home.

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