William R. "Bill" Sharpe Jr., who was the longest-serving sitting state senator when he retired last year after 11 terms, died Sunday at age 80, The Associated Press reports.
The Lewis County Democrat was president pro tempore for 36 of those years (picking his successor caused a flap in the Senate last week). During his tenure, his district kept the state's main psychiatric hospital and the replacement facility bears his name.
An engineer by trade, he had undergone a series of surgeries since January 2007 after doctors detected a massive aneurysm.
MetroNews also has an item. Gov. Joe Manchin, who served with Sharpe in the Senate from nearby Marion County, issued a statement. A number of senators marked his passing during Monday's floor session.
16 February 2009
Bill Sharpe: 1928 - 2009
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