SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 33

In Memory

of

Bill Hedges

WHEREAS, A life made rich through meaningful service drew to a close with the passing of Billy Bates Hedges of Quitman on May 31, 2023, at the age of 84; and

WHEREAS, Born on September 19, 1938, Bill Hedges grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, with two siblings, Jerry Lee and Harold; he attained the rank of Eagle Scout, and he was a member of the Class of 1956 at Little Rock Central High School; after attending Hendrix College, he earned a history degree from Southern Methodist University and went on to graduate from the SMU Perkins School of Theology; and

WHEREAS, Embarking on a career as a United Methodist pastor that would span more than four decades, Mr. Hedges served at 20 churches throughout East Texas; moreover, he was a Methodist Conference historian, president of the Texas United Methodist Historical Society, archivist for the South-Central Jurisdiction, and a member of the General Commission on Archives and History; he also held many local leadership roles with Rotary International, including chapter president and district governor; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Hedges shared a rewarding marriage with his first wife, the late Jane Hedges; he was fortunate enough to find love again with his second wife, Beth Robinson Hedges, who preceded him in death in 2015; he took great pride in his 3 children, Kathryn, Kent, and Rebecca, his 2 stepdaughters, Jill House and Jill Robinson, and his 14 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, A man of profound faith who dedicated himself to serving others, Bill Hedges will be deeply missed, and those who held him dear will forever remember the warmth and kindness he brought into their lives; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the memory of Billy Bates Hedges and extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his brother, Harold Hedges III, and his wife, Mary Helen; to his children, Kathryn Arata and her husband, Stephen, Kent Hedges and his wife, Jennifer, and Rebecca Matthews and her husband, Ross; to his stepdaughters, Jill House and her husband, Todd, and Jill Meil Robinson; to his grandchildren, Jeremy, Hannah, Julianna, Nick, Noah, Logan, Ellen, Olivia, Katie, Mary Claire, Ben, Adam, Madison, and Chloe; to his great-grandchildren; and to his other relatives and friends; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Bill Hedges.

Hughes

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on June 20, 2023, by a rising vote.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate