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From helping Ohio County residents breathe easier to breaking down barriers at the Ohio Valley General Hospital, the 11 new inductees honored Saturday at the Wheeling Hall of Fame ceremony have one thing in common: they all worked to make Wheeling a better place for all.
The inductees entered the Hall of Fame in six categories -- the late Edward Bates Franzheim and the late Alfred Paull in Business, Industry and Professions; the late Mary Ann Hess and Joan Corson Stamp in Philanthropy; Dr. William C. Mercer and the late Robert J. Otten in Public Service; The Rev. James A. O'Brien, S.J. and the late Beatrice Ann Thomas in Education and Religion; the late Edith Lake Wilkinson and the late "Chickie" Williams in Music and Fine Arts; and the late Edwin M. "Ned" Steckel Jr. in Sports and Athletics.
Here are several excerpts of what those accepting the awards had to say about the honorees:
"The Paull family legacy, like the legacy of many people that are here tonight, is important to the character of the city," said Alfred Paull's great-great grandson Arch Riley. "And it's what makes this, in today's standards, very, very small community so strong, so vibrant and so forward looking."
From inductee Joan Stamp, current vice president of the Wheeling Park Commission and the fourth member of the Stifel family to be inducted: "I was afforded some wonderful opportunities to serve, and in doing so, met many interesting people, learned a great deal and hopefully made some meaningful contributions."
The late Mary Ann Hess was another noted philanthropist. Her son, Andrew Hogan, accepted on her behalf.
"I never knew of my mother's giving until after she died," he said. "People would quietly come up to me and tell me their story of how my mother helped them."
New Hall of Fame member Dr. William Mercer, best known for his "Joe Too Cool to Smoke" campaign to end smoking among young people while he was Ohio County's health director, joins his father, Loran Mercer, in the Hall. "I've been blessed to have a wonderful family," he said, "and to be part of Wheeling and hopefully making Wheeling healthier."
The late Ann Thomas was in the first integrated class at Wheeling High School, and became the first Black woman to attend and graduate from the then-Ohio Valley General Hospital School of Nursing. "To have such a wonderful mother who was a contributor to the community and was an example for my brother and (me), not only am I humbled and proud, but I'm blessed," said her son, Scott.
Then there's the "Girl with the Lullaby Voice," Chickie Williams, who with her husband Doc and their family entertained millions from right here in Wheeling.
"If my grandmother was here today, she would tell you she was not deserving of such an honor," said her grandson, former Wheeling Mayor Andy McKenzie. "She would be sure to let you know that she has just lived her life doing what she loves most -- sing, and sing with her husband, sing harmony with her three daughters, cook for her family and enjoy the company of their fans around the world."
Indeed. Congratulations to all the honorees and their families.