87 Whereas: William Albert Bradford, under the providence of Almighty God, has departed from his earthly life, and Whereas: he had served as Director of the Bank of Clarke County at Berryville for 40 years, and as its President for 26 years, as Treasurer of the County of Clarke for 40 years; and moreover, he had served his entire county and community as citizen, counselor and friend throughout a long and useful life; Now therefore be it Resolved by the 20 member banks of Regional Clearing House, Zone C, Group III of the VBA, First: That the banking Fraternity and particularly his own Bank, has sustained an irreparable loss in his passing. Second; that we recognize his sterling worth of character in all his relationships, and express our feeling of loss of his wise counsel and sound judgment in all his business contracts. Third; that a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to his widow, a copy sent to the Bank of Clarke County and a copy spread upon the minutes of this association. Signed – Ralph M. Ware, Fred D. Maphis and Harold G. Brown A Bank of Clarke County advertisement in The Clarke Courier added to the memorializing and included a poem: “He lived in a house by the side of the road Where throngs of men passed by; He lessened each care and lightened each load, And heard want’s pitying cry.” In May of 1946 Mr. William R. Thompson, who was President of White Post Supply and engaged in general and custom farming, was elected as a director to succeed Mr. Bradford. Roy Potts was elected President to fill Mr. Bradford’s unexpired term. Mr. Potts retained his title of Cashier which gave the bank a working executive. Membership into the Federal Reserve System continued to be denied in the summer of 1946 due to the continued operation of the Boyce branch. A meeting with J. Hammond Siler of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond failed to disclose any method by which Bank of Clarke could obtain membership in the Federal Reserve System (other than by increasing capital stock) so long as the branch at Boyce continued in operation. In July 1946 the Selective Service was asked to vacate the room they had been using for the purpose of increasing the bank’s working space. A letter was received from Colonel J. D. Griffing expressing appreciation for the bank’s generosity in providing the space during and following the war. Also, the Assistant Cashier and note clerks were invited for the first time to sit with the Board during discussions of applications and renewals. Mrs. Edith Rodgers was transferred to the Boyce branch in February of 1947 and Mrs. Mary Longerbeam was hired as a bookkeeper in Berryville. Mr. Keller