HJR 271

Celebrating the life of Wayne Oliver Pryor.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 10, 2026
Agreed to by the Senate, March 12, 2026
WHEREAS, Wayne Oliver Pryor, a talented musician, inspirational mentor, and highly admired member of the Chester community, died on February 24, 2025; and
WHEREAS, Wayne Pryor grew up in Richmond's West End and was a well-rounded student who excelled in history and music and participated in a Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps program in high school; and
WHEREAS, in his youth, Wayne Pryor developed a passion for watching the nearby trains and railyards, and the rhythmic “clickity clack” of rail traffic echoed with him over the years as he honed his skills as a drummer; and
WHEREAS, Wayne Pryor pursued a career as a studio musician and was a member of several bands, including The Marvin Taylor Experience, the Lance Manley Band, and various iterations of PumpHouse Blues, with which he was featured on several albums; over the years, he appeared in community programming on local television stations and was a regular at FloydFest and other street festivals; and
WHEREAS, Wayne Pryor was also a highly sought-after drum instructor who played an integral role in the advancement of two generations of drummers and other musicians throughout the region; and
WHEREAS, just as Wayne Pryor kept the beat for his bands, he provided a sense of pace and rhythm for his family and community through his steady leadership, often behind the scenes; and
WHEREAS, Wayne Pryor was a dedicated father to three daughters, and he stepped to the front of the stage to be a stellar parent-teacher association president for John B. Cary Elementary School during challenging times for Richmond Public Schools; he further supported education reform by volunteering with various local programs, through which he met people from all walks of life and built a sense of community harmony; and
WHEREAS, in 2011, Wayne Pryor was introduced to his beloved partner Gayle Oneal, and they quickly developed a lifelong bond; he moved to Chester while maintaining commitments in Richmond, as well as caring for his mother in Petersburg; and
WHEREAS, Wayne Pryor was an affectionate, helpful, and well-learned gentleman; he was everyone's big brother, favorite uncle, or best friend for the long haul, and his legacy lives on through his storied accomplishments and generous contributions to others; and
WHEREAS, Wayne Pryor will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his partner, Gayle; his three daughters; and numerous family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Wayne Oliver Pryor; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Wayne Oliver Pryor as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.