Editorial appearing in The Parkersburg News – 12/13/2002

Two Great Losses

Businessmen Paul Callihan and Wilmer C. 'Bill' Fenton will be greatly missed

The Mid-Ohio Valley lost two of its shining lights this week with the deaths of businessmen Paul Callihan on Tuesday and Wilmer C. "Bill" Fenton on Wednesday. The loss of these two gentlemen brought sadness to many in their respective communities and fond remembrances of the unselfishness both had shown during their lives.

Callihan, 58, was the owner of The Pizza People Inc. of Marietta. He and his wife of 37 years, Kay, had been supporters of many organizations both in Marietta and the Mid-Ohio Valley.

Former Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jack Moberg said both were always available whenever Marietta needed a hand.

"Paul and Kay are two community assets that are very generous and giving of their time and resources," Moberg told the newspaper. "They were a team in those efforts. It's hard to find a worthy cause they weren't involved in."

Callihan was a member and past president of the Rotary Club of Marietta, vice president of Washington County Habitat for Humanity, and had been very involved in Boy Scouts, serving as an executive board member of the Allohak Council. He was to have received the the group's highest service award for adults - the Silver Beaver award - in January.

"Every time someone asked him to help, he got involved," Marietta Mayor Joe Matthews said of Callihan. "People like that are hard to replace."

Yes, they are hard to find.

The same thing could be said for Bill Fenton, who along with his brother Frank took Fenton Art Glass Co. from a small, family business to one that has sales - and fans - around the world - and doing this while still retaining the family business feel. It is fair to say Bill Fenton became the face of company through his many appearances on the QVC home shopping network, where he earned the nickname "Mr. QVC."

However, it has been the Fenton's work in Williamstown that residents will remember most about him. The family quietly worked behind the scenes to ensure the community and its schools were better places to live and learn, a fact acknowledged by many in that community.

"Bill and his brother were strong supporters of the community; that was their home and their place of business," Rev. Jack Neilson, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church of Parkersburg, told the newspaper. "They did many things behind the scenes for the community and county and they were highly though of here. ... He was a very special man."

Much of the Fentons' generosity was bestowed upon the school, of which both brothers were extremely proud. Besides being Williamstown High's partner in education the family sponsored the annual Fenton Relays, which has grown into one of the most prestigious track and field events in West Virginia. In addition, the family provided a continuing education fund for teachers and scholarship funds for many Williamstown students throughout the years.

It is impossible in this short space to list everything these fine men did to help the Mid-Ohio Valley. However, we think the most important accomplishment for both was that in spite of the success in business both were able to achieve in their lives - and it was much - neither forgot the place where they lived. They both were extremely generous in giving back to those communities and in so doing made this a better place for all of us.

They both will be missed.