WELCOME TO WEST VIRGINIA BRIDGE RIDE: THE 65 ARE HOME.
SSG William “Billy” Friese
30, US Army
July 18 is the anniversary of the passing of SSG William “Billy” Friese, 30, of Parkersburg WV. Let us honor and remember him, his mother Cathy Teehan also of Parkersburg, and his many family members. Billy was born Sept 28, 1988.
SSG Friese, a West Virginia Army National Guard soldier, was assigned to the 821st Engineer Company, 1092nd Engineer Battalion, 111th Engineer Brigade, in Summersville, West Virginia, SSG Friese died July 18, 2019 while serving in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
Billy graduated from Parkersburg South High School in 2007 and earned an Occupational Associate Degree in Specialized Diesel Technology and Management from WyoTech in June 2013. He joined the West Virginia Army National Guard in 2008 with assignment to the 111th Engineer Brigade. He reached the rank of Staff Sergeant during his 12 years of service and was deployed to Camp Buehring, Kuwait in support of Operation Inherent Resolve to serve as a light wheeled vehicle mechanic with the 821st Engineer Company. He was previously deployed to Afghanistan in 2010 with the 1092nd Engineer Battalion in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Billy grew up in Rockport, on an old gravel road, hunting, catching crawdads, playing/fighting with his siblings and drinking grandma’s sweet tea. He was country and a little bit hillbilly, and proud of it. He loved his family and friends and served his country proudly. He had the biggest heart and saw the best in everybody. Billy was incredibly generous (sometimes too generous), and never met a stranger. He lived life out loud, in the moment, and good or bad, always meant the best. When Billy was around it was “Country Roads” and “Amazing Grace”. He loved to sing boldly and loudly. He did EVERYTHING boldly and loudly. He was unpredictable, brave and mischievous. He could make you laugh, make you happy, make you crazy. He was completely smitten with his bub, Christian and his princess, Sarah. Billy was a big, loveable goofball who will be fondly remembered and fiercely missed.
Billy is survived by 2 children, Christian Alan and Narissara “Sarah” Srimoung.
Let us always remember him, his family and…
Say His Name.
#GoldStarMothers
#SayTheirNames
#goldstar
#rememberthefallen
#goldstarfamilies
#goldstarbridgeride
#NeverForget
#army
#nationalguard
Mayor Robert Shafer
City of Summersville, WV
AM3 Heath Bradley “Scrappy” Shilling
21, US Navy
July 15 marks the passing of AM3 Heath Bradley “Scrappy” Shilling, US Navy, 21. We honor and remember him, his family and his mother Rose Shilling of Glen Dale, WV.
Heath Shilling died in a motorcycle accident July 15th, 2001, in Norfolk VA while on active duty with the US Navy. He was 21 years old.
Heath was born in Glen Dale, WV, on December 13th, 1979. Ever since middle school, Heath had gone by his nickname “scrappy”. He graduated from John Marshall High School in 1998. Heath loved motorcycles, his truck and baseball.
He joined the Navy after graduation from high school in 1998 and worked as an Aviation Hydraulic Mechanic. According to his father Don Shilling (USN Retired) Heath just wanted to live happily. Heath had planned to make the Navy his career and follow in his father’s footsteps. PO Shilling was assigned to HCS-4, Red Wolves Helicopter Squadron and was Junior Sailor of the Quarter, 2001.
His father remembers Heath as always working hard in the Navy and loving motorcycles and baseball. “He liked baseball and goofing off with friends because he was a typical 21 year old. ‘I’m gonna have fun first’, which he did… all the time”, said his father.
His family said you almost never saw him without a smile on his face, and he would do anything for anyone.
Unfortunately, Heaths father Don Shilling passed in Jan 2024. He is survived by his mother Rose and his sister Amber and brother Robert.
Let us always remember him, his family his mother and always…
Say His Name.
#GoldStarMothers
#goldstarbridgeride
#SayTheirNames
#navy
#GoldStar
#neverforget
#goldstarfamilies
