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2023 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 722
Celebrating the life of the Honorable William Kyle Barlow.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 21, 2023
Agreed to by the Senate, February 24, 2023

 

WHEREAS, the Honorable William Kyle Barlow, a brave veteran, esteemed attorney, and beloved member of the Isle of Wight County community who benevolently served the citizens of the Commonwealth for over two decades as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, died on September 21, 2022; and

WHEREAS, William “Bill” Kyle Barlow, affectionately known by many as “Billy K.,” was raised on a farm during the Great Depression and World War II and went on to graduate from Smithfield High School, where he was a captain of the football, basketball, and baseball teams; and

WHEREAS, Bill Barlow earned a degree in agricultural economics from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) and showed early signs of his potential to be a leader by serving as the regimental commander of the Corps of Cadets and as president of the Class of 1958; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from Virginia Tech, Bill Barlow served his country with honor and distinction for four years as an intelligence officer with the United States Air Force, including a tour in Taiwan during a particularly tense time in the Cold War; and

WHEREAS, in 1965, Bill Barlow earned a juris doctor degree from the University of Virginia School of Law and went on to practice law in Smithfield for more than 55 years, touching on wide-ranging issues in service to his clients and members of his community; and

WHEREAS, in addition to providing legal services for the Isle of Wight Volunteer Rescue Squad and other local organizations, Bill Barlow served as board member and chair of the Walter Cecil Rawls Regional Library in Courtland, as a board member of what is today Sentara Obici Hospital, and as a founding member of the organization Citizens for Better Public Schools in Isle of Wight County; and

WHEREAS, Bill Barlow’s contributions to his community included his active involvement with local chapters of Rotary International and Ruritan International and his tenures coaching youth tee ball and baseball, to which he lovingly dedicated many hours of his time; and

WHEREAS, Bill Barlow won a seat in the Virginia House of Delegates in 1991 and for the next 20 years represented the 64th District, which during his terms always included parts of the Counties of Isle of Wight, Surry, Franklin, and Southampton, and at various times parts of the Counties of Prince George, James City, Charles City, and Henrico and the City of Williamsburg; and

WHEREAS, Bill Barlow made public education his top priority in the Virginia House of Delegates, and he demonstrated an exceptional ability for meeting people and building relationships across the various communities he served; and

WHEREAS, Bill Barlow stayed connected to his alma mater, Virginia Tech, throughout his life, serving as president of the Alumni Board of Directors for the Virginia Tech Alumni Association, receiving a Distinguished Alumni Award, and visiting Blacksburg whenever possible; and

WHEREAS, a man of deep faith, Bill Barlow was a lifelong member of Smithfield Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday school and served as a church trustee, as a member and chair of the board of deacons, and as church moderator for many years; and

WHEREAS, preceded in death by his son, Kyle, Bill Barlow will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his loving wife, Taylor; his children, Amy and Todd, and their families; and numerous other family members, friends, and colleagues on both sides of the aisle; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of the Honorable William Kyle Barlow, former member of the House of Delegates and a cherished citizen of Isle of Wight County whose service and dedication to his community leave a legacy that will endure for years to come; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of the Honorable William Kyle Barlow as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.