CHESTER - Five inductees have been chosen for the Chester Hall of Fame, which is celebrating its second year.

Jerry Smith, chairman of the Chester Hall of Fame Committee, said that nominations were taken from the public this year, and the response was very strong. "Because of the numerous nominations from the public, we decided to induct five people into the hall this year," said Smith, instead of the intended four.

Inductees for the Hall of Fame's inaugural year, which coincided with Chester's Centennial, were chosen by the Committee due to time restraints, but Smith said it was always the intention to have the public submit nominations.

Smith said that the committee received over 30 names to consider. "We considered that very good for the first year. We are blessed because there are so many citizens past and present that deserve to be in our Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, we can only get a few in each year," Smith said.

The induction ceremony will be held July 3 at 6 pm at the First Christian Church on Indiana Avenue in Chester. The keynote address will be given by Mayor Ken Morris.

Smith said the committee invites the public to attend the ceremony, which is free, and help honor the five inductees.

This year's inductees are:

Roy Cashdollar was born Feb. 25, 1919. He graduated from Chester High School in 1939. While in high school, in addition to sports and academics, Cashdollar held numerous outside jobs.

Cashdollar enlisted in the US Army Air Force shortly after graduation, taking part in 35 flight missions during World War II in a B24 Liberator and surviving being shot down over France during his crew's sixth mission.

Following the war, Cashdollar and his new wife, Betty, returned to Chester, where he gained employment at Homer Laughlin. While employed there, Cashdollar took classes at Steubenville and graduated in 1951. He taught at Chester High School for 10 years and coached junior high school football and basketball. While teaching in Chester, Cashdollar took night classes at the University of Pittsburgh and earned a post graduate degree in Administration. He then spent 22 years in the Beaver Local schools, primarily as superintendent.

As a public servant, however, the city of Chester is and has always been foremost in Cashdollar's heart. He won his first city council seat as a write-in candidate and went on to serve about 30 years in elected office as a councilman, city clerk, and mayor of Chester.

During his time in elected office, Cashdollar played a role in a number of notable community projects, including placement of the Overlook at the sight of the Chester Bridge, salvage and restoration of the teapot, development of Chester City Park, formation of the Chester Recreation Commission, purchase and resale of the railroad property, establishment of the Virginia Gardens memorial, and the location of the Jennings Randolph Bridge.

Cashdollar's lifelong dedication to service to his community is exemplified by participation in Chester Lions Club, Chester Kiwanis Club, Chester Masonic Lodge, Chester Housing Board, Chester Civil Service Commission, Chester-Newell Area Chamber of Commerce, Locust Hill Cemetery Board, Hancock County Historical Committee, park commission, planning commission, water-sewer board, and lifetime membership to the Chester American Legion and Chester VFW.

Proud to be a member of the "Greatest Generation," Cashdollar has been married to his wife for 63 years. They have five children, Susan, Michael, Mark, Mathew, and Melissa.

C. Donald Chaney, born Sept. 12, 1922, has always been an involved leader in Chester. At Chester High School, he was Senior Class President and a star on the football team.

As a member of the "Greatest Generation," Chaney was a decorated member of the Armed Forces. As a young First Lieutenant, Chaney flew 65 missions as a bomber pilot during World War II. On his last mission, his bomber sustained damage that forced his entire crew to successfully parachute into American-held France. For his actions, Chaney was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Chaney served in action on D-Day and for his service was awarded a total of 13 medals.

Returning to Chester, Chaney embarked on a path as a family man, business innovator, and civic leader. At the age of 13, he assisted his father with the start-up of Chaney's Service Station, where he continues to work today. Chaney's has expanded and today exists as a landmark business in the area. As an innovator, Chaney began C. & S. TV Cable, a local company. Through C. & S., he had the first local educational TV station. He televised local church programs, high school football games, telethons, and musical programs.

Chaney was a councilman in the 1960s, but he is known most for his ability to make people think. Many lively, opinionated debates have taken place at Chaney's Service Station over the years. He led lively exchanges on politics, the environment, the economy, the state of the family, and the state of the country, just to name a few. If a customer came in for fuel, he often left with a tank of gas and a head full of new ideas.

Today Chaney is a member of the Chester-Newell Sportmen's Club and has helped to revive interest in the Ohio River with his catfish tournaments. As a diehard visionary, he continues to see the potential of the Ohio River.

Chaney has been married to his wife Mary for 63 years. They have seven children, Donna Jean, Jerry, Jimmy, Carol, Nancy, Mary Beth, and Catherine.

Alvin Clutter was born Aug. 15, 1922. Affectionately known as "Big Al" by all who knew him, Clutter graduated from Chester High School in 1939, where he served as class president his freshman, sophomore, and junior years.

Clutter joined the military in 1942, serving two years in the US Navy as a core man and two years in the US Marines, fighting in the Pacific at Guam, Midway, and other islands.

Clutter returned to Chester and took a job at Weirton Steel, where he worked for 35 years until he retired.

Clutter will always be best known as the man who taught the youth of Chester about football and the lessons of life. He volunteered countless hours, energy, and often his own money to ensure that Chester would have a successful youth league football program. From August to Thanksgiving, Clutter could be found at Chester City Park from five till eight each evening working with 40 to 60 kids, teaching the fundamentals of football, as well as teamwork, sharing, and doing the right thing as a person. For 16 years, Clutter worked with the youth of the community as the head coach of the Chester Mice.

In 1964 Clutter and his good friend Fryle Carter of Wellsville organized the successful local Tri-State Little League Football program, which endures today as the Bill Booth League operating out of East Liverpool.

"Big Al's" booming voice contrasted dramatically with the individual personal attention and compassion he showed each and every young person that he coached. His influence on the youth of the community is now carried in the hearts of hundreds of adults who are better people because of the lessons learned through the unselfish caring deeds of Clutter.

Clutter has been married to his wife Bonnie for 62 years. They raised four children, Mike, Candi, Pat, and Chip.

Joseph "Bill" Cornell, born Aug. 4, 1914, was well known as the long-time owner and operator of the former Cornell Trucking in Chester.

Cornell served for many years as the Chester Chief of Police, retiring in December of 1976. He served two terms as the Grant District Constable and was a past President of the Civil Service Commission. He was also an honorary life member of the Chester Volunteer Fire Department and a member and leader of many other civic organizations.

Cornell was honored by the Chester Volunteer Fire Department in 1973 for extraordinary service to the department over the years. He was recognized for the generous use of his trucks, garage, and equipment, as well as donating countless hours of his own time to assist in new additions to the department.

Cornell was also instrumental in the development of Chester City Park. Cornell helped with the beginnings of the park through donating his own time, equipment, and money. Though many others were involved, it was through Cornell's vision that the park project began in the first place. In 1990, 33 years after he gave his time and energy, Chester City Council voted unanimously to rename the park in his honor. Today Chester City Park serves the citizens of Chester and the area in many recreational and civic activities.

Cornell was honored in December 1971 by the Chester American Legion and the West Virginia Legion for "outstanding bravery beyond the call of duty." At his own peril he disarmed an explosive device that had been placed at Citizens Drug Store that could have caused extensive damage and loss of life if it had detonated.

Cornell's greatness was epitomized by his generosity, his willingness to help others, and his desire to put the well being and happiness of others before his own.

Cornell was married to his wife Dorothy for 48 years. They raised five children, John, Jerry, Joyce, Janice, and Jodie.

Jim Jordan, aka Mr. Basketball, was born May 26, 1925, and graduated from Chester High School in 1943. Jordan excelled at Chester High in basketball and was named honorary captain of the 1943 All West Virginia High School basketball team.

After high school, Jordan joined the US Navy and qualified for the V-12 Navy Officer training program during World War II. Jordan attended the University of North Carolina and graduated with a BS in Naval Science. During his stay at North Carolina, Jordan's basketball exploits were legendary. He led his team to the NCAA Finals in 1946. He was also selected by the All American Helms Foundation in 1945, second team, and the first team in 1946. When the University of North Carolina held its 50th anniversary of the Athletic Foundation in the early 1990s, Jordan was honored as the Outstanding Athlete of his class. His #8 jersey was "retired" at that time and hangs in the Dean Dome today. Adolph Rupp, the head coach of Kentucky, recruited him to play basketball, and in 1948, Jordan led the team to the Kentucky National Championship. Jordan completed his Masters of Education degree at Kentucky.

Jordan moved back to Chester after college, completed a law degree, and pursued what became a 35-year law practice in Chester. Jordan served the town of Chester and local communities through his leadership and goodwill. Jordan served as member of the East Liverpool YMCA Board of Directors for 30 years. He was also president of the Hancock County Bar Association, member of the Hancock County Board of Education, officer of the Westminster Presbyterian Church, director of the East Liverpool Hospital Board, and director of Hancock County Federal Savings & Loan for 40 years.

Jordan had a passion for sports and for the youth of the area. He donated countless hours of his time to both the local hospital and YMCA Boards and quietly helped many struggling families in the area.

Jordan was married to his childhood sweetheart Ann Ingram for 63 years. They raised four children, Judy, Jill, Jack, and Besse.

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