[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 10, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E7-E8]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING WILLIAM ``BILL'' HAROLD PRESTAGE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GREGORY F. MURPHY

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 10, 2023

  Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to William 
``Bill'' Harold Prestage of Clinton, North Carolina, to honor all that 
he has done to benefit North Carolina and our great nation.
  Bill was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on June 15, 1935, to Richard and 
Lorraine Prestage. Bill graduated from Lakeview High School in Battle 
Creek, Michigan in 1955 and later attended Western Michigan University. 
In 1960, Bill, his wife, and their kids moved to South Carolina so Bill 
could start his new job selling Master Mix feeds for Central Soya. 
Despite having no agriculture experience, Bill quickly proved to be a 
natural salesman and was awarded Central Soya's coveted ``Wildcat'' 
sales award. Bill then moved to North Carolina to service a larger 
sales area, which led to him meeting Otis Carroll who owned a feed 
mill. Bill and Mr. Carroll became friends and eventually became 
partners in what became known as Carroll's Foods. Carroll's Foods was a 
huge success as it revolutionized the turkey and hog industry by 
adapting new techniques that would lead to the concept that we now call 
vertical integration.
  After Otis Carroll passed away in 1981, Bill sold his share in the 
business to the Carroll family. In 1983, Bill and his family started 
Prestage Farms in Harrells, North Carolina with 22 employees and 18 
contract growers. Bill and his team were able to expand his newly found 
family business to become 1 of the largest family-owned and family-
operated animal protein production companies in the nation. Currently, 
the Prestage family of companies has 5 divisions across 7 different 
states with 3 processing plants and provides employment to nearly 2,500 
people and holds contracts with over 450 family farms. 5 of Bill's 
grandchildren have joined the company and are learning the ropes of the 
business from Bill and Marsha's 3 brilliant sons.
  Bill had a deep appreciation for all his employees and contract 
growers that he got to know throughout his life, and he always made 
sure they were recognized for all their hard work. These individuals 
served as the foundation of the business and helped make Prestage Farms 
what it is today.
  Bill was inducted into the North Carolina Poultry federation Hall of 
Fame in 2003 and into the North Carolina Pork Council Hall of Fame in 
2005. In addition, Bill chaired the North Carolina Agricultural 
Foundation Board, served on the Vet Med Foundation Board and served as 
president of the National Turkey Federation.
  Bill and Marsha were both recognized with the Menscer Cup, which is 
North Carolina State University Foundation's highest award for 
philanthropy, dedication and leadership. Bill and Marsha were 
recognized with this. prestigious award after donating millions of 
dollars to North Carolina State University, which would go towards 
supporting research, teaching, and other programs provided by the 
university.
  Bill had a love for the outdoors and had a passion for promoting 
conservation efforts. Some of his hobbies included upland bird hunting, 
boating, and fishing. Bill married to his caring and loving wife and 
business partner, Marsha, for 68 years. Bill and Marsha had 3 sons, 
Ronald, Scott, and John Prestage. Bill was known as ``Poppy'' to his 9 
grandchildren, Kate Prestage Poplin, Zach Prestage, Max Prestage, Billy 
Prestage, Stephanie Prestage, Dr. Kay I in Prestage, Ben Prestage, Bill 
Prestage, and Vanna Prestage; and 3 great-grandchildren Charlotte and 
Claire Poplin, and Marsha Prestage.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring the incredible life of Mr. 
William ``Bill'' Harold

[[Page E8]]

Prestage and the tremendous legacy he leaves behind.

                          ____________________