[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 75 (Thursday, May 12, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E684]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               COMMEMORATING THE LIFE OF WILLIAM R. SNEAD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROBERT HURT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 12, 2016

  Mr. HURT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I submit these remarks to 
commemorate the life of William R. Snead of Danville, Virginia, who 
passed away May 7, 2016 at age 92.
  Mr. Snead was drafted into the United States Army in 1943 during 
World War II and trained in Fort Bragg, N.C., where he was part of the 
5th Brigade of Amphibious Engineers which was attached to the 29th 
Infantry Division that landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944. 
Snead was a company engineer with the 5th Division that landed after 
the first wave of infantry hit the beaches of Normandy to carry out the 
logistical and supply tasks that were essential to the Allied conquest 
of Europe.
  Upon Mr. Snead's return from the war, he dedicated his life to 
farming in Pittsylvania County, later moving to South Boston, where he 
began to learn the trade of house painting, in which he would 
eventually start his own company, W.R. Snead Painting Company in 
Halifax until his retirement in 1984. Mr. Snead also served our 
community as a council member of the South Boston Church of God for 
many years, as well as a trustee, and taught their Adult Sunday school 
class for over 50 years.
  In 2013, I was honored to see Mr. Snead receive the French Legion of 
Honor for his service during the Second World War and participate in a 
ceremony honoring Mr. Snead in Halifax. We remain forever grateful for 
Mr. Snead's bravery and sacrifices--may he rest in peace.
  On the occasion of the passing of William R. Snead, I ask that the 
members of this House of Representatives join with me, Mr. Snead's wife 
Frances Jones Snead, his four children, ten grandchildren, seven great 
grandchildren, three great, great grandchildren, and the communities of 
Halifax and Pittsylvania in honoring the memory of a great American 
hero.

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