West Virginia Hunter Education Association
2018 Ret. Sgt. Stephen D. Rexrode
Bill Ret. Sgt. Stephen D. Rexrode, of Petersburg was nominated to the WVHEHOF for 48 years of service with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, most of those years as the Regional Training Officer, and over 3000 hours of instruction. He has taught in eight counties of West Virginia; and over 12 years as the lead instructor in Grant County, teaching hunter education for 45 consecutive years. He taught Hunter Ed classes starting in the early 70’s at Petersburg High School and still teaches there; and became team leader for Grant County. In 1987 he was given the Green light to teach Hunter Ed classes in all 8 counties of District II. In 2012 he was recognized as the WV District II Instructor of the year. He has a wealth of knowledge about the WVHE program from his years of experience to call upon that others have relied upon. The District II Hunter Education program would not be what it is today without his hard work and his positive example as a sportsman.
He is extremely active in his community. Over the last 20 years he has conducted the .22 cal. rifle range at the Grant County 4-H Camp as a 4-H Shooting Sports Certified Instructor. He was very instrumental in obtaining a grant from the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation to build a rifle, pistol, archery, muzzle-loading rifle and trap range in Grant County; at the time the only range in a four-county area. He was one of the founders of the Physically Challenged Hunt at Jennings Randolph Lake; and also participated in the Physically Challenged Deer Hunt at Snowshoe. He also, has taken our Wounded Warriors hunting there. He ran the .22 cal. Rifle range at the West Virginia Conservation Camp for 28 years. He also conducted Hunter Ed classes for the West Virginia School for the Deaf. He participated in the hunt with a Natural Resources Police Officer program, helping a young man kill his first squirrel. He is a Vietnam Veteran, having served 4 years in the United States Air Force, one of them in Southeast Asia. He continues to give safety presentations to the 4-H clubs and the South Branch Vocational center each year prior to deer fire-arms season. He also coached Little League Baseball for 15 years and basketball for 10 years. He served as a member of the School Improvement Council at Petersburg High School for 8 years; and is currently the assistant Golf Coach. In 1985 he was awarded the Outstanding West Virginian for his heroic efforts during the 1985 flood. Stephen also, is a serving Municipal Judge.
· 1993 District II Conservation Officer of the Year· Taught Classes at Union high School for many years· Conducted .22 rifle range for Diabetes Camp at Camp Caesar· One of the original 7 Officers that started mandatory Hunter Ed program· Attended Potomac State College· Enlisted in United States Air Force· Served a Tour of Duty in Vietnam and Korea during USS Pueblo Crisis
He is extremely active in his community. Over the last 20 years he has conducted the .22 cal. rifle range at the Grant County 4-H Camp as a 4-H Shooting Sports Certified Instructor. He was very instrumental in obtaining a grant from the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation to build a rifle, pistol, archery, muzzle-loading rifle and trap range in Grant County; at the time the only range in a four-county area. He was one of the founders of the Physically Challenged Hunt at Jennings Randolph Lake; and also participated in the Physically Challenged Deer Hunt at Snowshoe. He also, has taken our Wounded Warriors hunting there. He ran the .22 cal. Rifle range at the West Virginia Conservation Camp for 28 years. He also conducted Hunter Ed classes for the West Virginia School for the Deaf. He participated in the hunt with a Natural Resources Police Officer program, helping a young man kill his first squirrel. He is a Vietnam Veteran, having served 4 years in the United States Air Force, one of them in Southeast Asia. He continues to give safety presentations to the 4-H clubs and the South Branch Vocational center each year prior to deer fire-arms season. He also coached Little League Baseball for 15 years and basketball for 10 years. He served as a member of the School Improvement Council at Petersburg High School for 8 years; and is currently the assistant Golf Coach. In 1985 he was awarded the Outstanding West Virginian for his heroic efforts during the 1985 flood. Stephen also, is a serving Municipal Judge.
· 1993 District II Conservation Officer of the Year· Taught Classes at Union high School for many years· Conducted .22 rifle range for Diabetes Camp at Camp Caesar· One of the original 7 Officers that started mandatory Hunter Ed program· Attended Potomac State College· Enlisted in United States Air Force· Served a Tour of Duty in Vietnam and Korea during USS Pueblo Crisis