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TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE BRIDGE ON STATE HIGHWAY 45 THAT CROSSES WAMBAW CREEK APPROXIMATELY SIX MILES NORTH OF UNITED STATES HIGHWAY 17 AT THE CHARLESTON AND BERKELEY COUNTY LINE NEAR MCCLELLANVILLE AS "THE HILLS BRIDGE" IN MEMORY OF WILLIAM BECKETT HILLS AND IN HONOR OF MARIE SHAW HILLS AND ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS AT THIS BRIDGE THAT CONTAIN THE WORDS "THE HILLS BRIDGE".
Whereas, the late William Beckett Hills and his beloved wife, Marie Shaw Hills, are widely known and respected in their home town of McClellanville and throughout the community; and
Whereas, Mr. Hills was born in McClellanville on March 31, 1906, and died at his home at Marietta Farm on May 30, 1985; and
Whereas, he managed the South Carolina Electric and Gas plant in McClellanville as a young man, was the local supervisor for the Charleston County Department of Public Works for nearly twenty years, and also was an active farmer who cherished Marietta Farm; and
Whereas, Mr. Hills is especially remembered for having logged Wambaw Swamp for its massive cypress logs in 1926. Because the county's dirt roadways were generally in poor condition, the logs were hauled by mule teams to the Santee River and floated to Charleston. These logs were then used in helping craft the forms with which concrete pilings were made for the John P. Grace Memorial Bridge over the Cooper River; and
Whereas, his great love for hunting and the outdoors often found him in the Wambaw Swamp near his home; and
Whereas, he was a skilled storyteller known for his sense of humor and practical jokes; and
Whereas, he and his beloved wife, Marie, were married over forty-six years. She was his lifelong partner and shared his love for and helped manage Marietta Farm; and
Whereas, Mrs. Hills for many years was secretary at the McClellanville Public School and was active in the community and served as a Girl Scout leader and as church historian of the New Wappetaw Presbyterian Church; and
Whereas, she is treasured for her cleverness, sunny disposition, and positive outlook on life; and
Whereas, Mr. and Mrs. Hills had five children, and nine grandchildren, and Mrs. Hills now enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren at Marietta Farm; and
Whereas, the members of the General Assembly believe it would be a fitting tribute to this outstanding South Carolina couple if the nearby bridge to Marietta Farm that crosses Wambaw Creek close to McClellanville were named in their honor. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly request that the Department of Transportation name the bridge on State Highway 45 that crosses Wambaw Creek approximately six miles north of United States Highway 17 at the Charleston and Berkeley County line near McClellanville as "The Hills Bridge" in memory of William Beckett Hills and in honor of Marie Shaw Hills and erect appropriate markers or signs at this bridge that contain the words "The Hills Bridge".
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Department of Transportation and to Mrs. Marie Shaw Hills.
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