Five inducted into Chester Hall of Fame

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CHESTER - Many memories were shared and tears shed at a ceremony in which five community leaders were inducted into the Chester Hall of Fame's second class.

Anthony Bernardi, Hall of Fame Committee member and master of ceremonies for the evening, spoke about how the idea for the hall of fame first came about the previous year, which coincided with Chester's centennial. Bernardi gave Hall of Fame Committee Chairman Jerry Smith credit for the hall's inception, saying, "He brought energy, excitement, and a sense of pride to everyone involved."

Bernardi then read a message from Smith, who was unable to attend the ceremony, that read, "Congratulations and thanks to each and every one of you for making Chester a better place for all of us."

Mayor Ken Morris then gave the keynote address, noting that all five of this year's inductees were part of the same generation, the "Greatest Generation," and that most had served in the armed forces. "How can I possibly say a few words about five individuals who have done so much for their country, their families, and Chester?" said Morris. "They're a part of our history...They all gave of themselves unselfishly."

Morris added that he is "proud to be the mayor of Chester, but tonight I'm more honored to be on this platform" as part of the ceremony.

The inductees were presented with plaques that will be on permanent display at the Hall of Fame in the Chester City Building and then given a chance to speak or have someone speak on their behalf. The 2008 Class includes Al Clutter, Don Chaney, Roy Cashdollar, Jim Jordan, and Joseph "Bill" Cornell.

"I was raised wonderfully in Chester," said Chaney. "Chester's been good to me." Chaney also said that his family always took him to the First Christian Church, where the ceremony was held and where Chaney said he learned right from wrong. "My family is what got me here today," said Chaney.

Clutter's son Mike spoke on his behalf, saying, "It's an honor to have him inducted into the Hall of Fame, especially with this group...I owe a lot to my dad. He's my best friend, my father, and my mentor, and I love him to death." He added that he has been coaching for over 40 years, which he said he owed all to his father.

Jodie Cornell spoke about her late father, Joseph "Bill" Cornell, saying that he would have been touched by such an honor. "He always said there was no better place to live and raise a family than Chester," she said.

Harry Comm spoke on behalf of the late Jim Jordan and his family, who were unable to attend. Comm shared stories that were given to him by each of Jordan's four children, as well as his own story about Jordan helping him to get together with his wife.

"It's my honor to recognize an ordinary man who lived an extraordinary life...With all the accolades he received, Jim was a humble, passionate man," Comm said.

Cashdollar's son Matt spoke on his behalf, saying, "We are so proud of Dad for many reasons: his high school achievements as a student and athlete, his service to his country in the Air Corps during WWII, the determination shown starting a young family while working in the pottery, serving on council and hitchhiking to Steubenville each day to earn his college degree, the ten years he loved teaching Problems of Democracy at his alma mater and coaching junior high sports, his long, distinguished career at Beaver Local, and all the good he did for the people of his beloved Chester."

Cashdollar added, "It is no secret that things haven't gone so well, of late, for Dad...People have approached us to say they are sorry this day had not occurred when maybe Dad could have made more sense of it all. Actually, it could never be more meaningful than it is now, and our sense of appreciation we have for our father and his life could never be greater."

At the ceremony's conclusion, Bernardi said, "These men had principles that they stood by, embraced, and owned. It was because of their commitment to these standards that helped mold our city....I hope that each of us continue to embrace the vision of these five men and try to take a lesson from their legacy, incorporate some of their ideals, but most of all, continue to be a friend to Chester and those individuals you meet along the way."

The inductees to the Chester Hall of Fame's second class are:

Alvin "Big Al" Clutter served his country as a Marine in places like Guam and Iwo Jima and after the war became a steelworker and devoted family man.

To hundreds of area youth, Clutter will be best known as the man who taught them about football and lessons in life, coaching the Chester Mice and co-founding the Tri-State Little League Football program. For over 20 years, he made a positive impact on those participating in area sports.

C. Donald Chaney flew 65 missions as a bomber pilot and First Lieutenant in World War II. On his last mission, his bomber sustained battle damage that forced the entire crew to successfully parachute into France. For his actions, Chaney was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Returning to Chester, Chaney embarked on a path as a family man, business innovator, and civic leader. Chaney founded C&S TV Cable, which was one of the first cable companies in the United States.

Roy Cashdollar served as a top turret gunner and flew 35 missions over Germany in a B-24 bomber during World War II.

Cashdollar returned home, got married, and earned his teaching degree, after which he taught at Chester High School. Cashdollar also become the superintendent of the Beaver Local district after getting his Master's Degree.

Cashdollar served as city clerk, councilman, and mayor of Chester, as well as authoring two books on the city's history.

Joseph "Bill" Cornell owned Cornell Trucking and served many years as Chester's Chief of Police. His proudest accomplishment, though, was being one of the founders of Chester City Park. Cornell donated time, money, and equipment to get the park started, and in 1990, Chester City Council voted to name the park in his honor.

Cornell has also received numerous city and state awards and accolades, notably a recognition by the West Virginia Legion and Chester American Legion for "outstanding bravery beyond the call of duty" for disarming an explosive device placed at Citizens Drug Store.

James Jordan was named honorary captain of the 1943 All West Virginia High School basketball team and named All American at the University of North Carolina, where his jersey was retired.

After college, Jordan taught before completing his law degree and opening a practice in Chester. Jordan sat on the boards of several organizations, including the East Liverpool YMCA, the Hancock County Board of Education, the East Liverpool Hospital Board, and the Hancock County Bar Association.

Jordan was recognized in the 1990s by the University of North Carolina's Athletic Foundation as the Outstanding Athlete of his class.

Biographical information was provided by the Chester Hall of Fame Committee.