By: Siebert H.R. No. 561
73R8766 WMS-D
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, Brigadier General William C. "Sonny" Lindley, United
1-2 States Air Force, retired, has selflessly devoted his life to the
1-3 service of his nation, state, and community; and
1-4 WHEREAS, Born August 2, 1917, in Midway, Texas, to Carey
1-5 B. and Mary Lindley, Sonny dedicated his youthful energies to
1-6 sports, tearing up the gridiron for four years at Huntsville High
1-7 School and for five years at Sam Houston State University, where he
1-8 earned his bachelor of arts degree in education in 1939; and
1-9 WHEREAS, In 1940, this outstanding patriot enlisted as an
1-10 aviation cadet, earned his wings and commission as a second
1-11 lieutenant in July 1941, and showed unflinching bravery and
1-12 devotion to duty during 40 combat missions in the South Pacific
1-13 from 1944 to 1946; and
1-14 WHEREAS, His lasting association with the Air Force Reserve
1-15 Officer Training Corps (ROTC) began in 1947, and over the next four
1-16 years General Lindley drew on his superlative skills as a pilot and
1-17 educator as he taught courses in military science and tactics at
1-18 Western Kentucky State Teachers College, Baylor University, and
1-19 East Texas State University, where he also earned his master's
1-20 degree in education administration in 1949; and
1-21 WHEREAS, After a three-year stint as director of the
1-22 curriculum division at Air Force ROTC headquarters, from 1950 to
1-23 1953, he returned to the cockpit in 1954 and commanded the 316th
1-24 Troop Carrier Group in Ashia, Japan, until April 1956; he then
2-1 served with distinction as deputy chief of staff for operations in
2-2 the 315th Air Division in Japan for two years; and
2-3 WHEREAS, He resumed his work in the development of a truly
2-4 professional corps of officers in 1959, when he was assigned to
2-5 U.S. Air Force headquarters as director of professional education;
2-6 named commandant of the Air Force ROTC in 1961, General Lindley
2-7 continued his exceptional services to that organization and for his
2-8 efforts was awarded the highest honor the Air Force can bestow in
2-9 the field of education, the Vanderberg Trophy; and
2-10 WHEREAS, Exemplifying the finest qualities of the military
2-11 tradition, this extraordinary man was given his final promotion, to
2-12 brigadier general on August 1, 1963, and he held that esteemed rank
2-13 until his retirement from the Air Force in 1966; and
2-14 WHEREAS, During his sterling career with the Air Force
2-15 General Lindley was awarded three Commendation Ribbons, the
2-16 Distinguished Unit Emblem, the American Defense Service Medal, the
2-17 American Campaign Medal, the European-African Middle Eastern
2-18 Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three
2-19 stars, the World War II Victory Medal, the Army of Occupation
2-20 Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Air Force Longevity
2-21 Service Award with one silver oak-leaf cluster, the Philippine
2-22 Liberation Ribbon, and the Southern Cross Brazilian Award; and
2-23 WHEREAS, After his retirement from the Air Force, this
2-24 lifelong educator became vice-president for student affairs at the
2-25 University of North Texas and greatly benefited that outstanding
2-26 institution until 1971, when he took a similar position at The
2-27 University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA); he also served UTSA as
3-1 dean of continuing education and director of development until his
3-2 retirement in 1982; and
3-3 WHEREAS, For over 28 years, General Lindley has shared a
3-4 life of mutual love and devotion with his wife, the former Martha
3-5 Buchanan, and, now living in San Antonio, this generous couple
3-6 serve the Alamo City community as elders of the John Calvin
3-7 Presbyterian Church, devoting much of their time to the needs of
3-8 underprivileged children; and
3-9 WHEREAS, Throughout his many years of outstanding service,
3-10 both in and out of uniform, General Lindley consistently has
3-11 striven to protect and improve the lives of those he has sworn to
3-12 serve, and it is indeed fitting that his many accomplishments be
3-13 given special legislative recognition; now, therefore, be it
3-14 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas
3-15 Legislature hereby commend Brigadier General William C. "Sonny"
3-16 Lindley, Air Force, retired, on his inspirational contributions to
3-17 society as an officer and as a civilian; and, be it further
3-18 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-19 prepared for General Lindley as an expression of high regard by the
3-20 Texas House of Representatives.