H.R. No. 146
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, The passing of Will Wilson on January 23, 1995, at
    1-2  the age of 78, has brought great sadness to the many friends and
    1-3  relatives of this distinguished gentleman, and he will be widely
    1-4  mourned throughout the Beaumont community, where he was an esteemed
    1-5  citizen; and
    1-6        WHEREAS, Mr. Wilson was born in Paris, Texas, and while still
    1-7  a teenager launched his career in finance during the difficult era
    1-8  of the Great Depression as a cashier for a stockbrokerage; in 1939
    1-9  he joined First National Bank as a bookkeeper but, shortly
   1-10  thereafter, his work was interrupted by the advent of World War II;
   1-11  and
   1-12        WHEREAS, Having entered the military before the Japanese
   1-13  bombing of Pearl Harbor, Mr. Wilson leaves behind a legacy of
   1-14  extraordinary military service to his country; as a member of
   1-15  Combat Command A of the 31st Tank Battalion, 7th Armored Division,
   1-16  he engaged in some of the fiercest fighting of the war as a
   1-17  participant in the Normandy Invasion and the decisive Battle of the
   1-18  Bulge; and
   1-19        WHEREAS, Discharged with the rank of major at the war's end,
   1-20  this courageous Texan was awarded the Bronze Star and six battle
   1-21  stars for his gallantry in action; and
   1-22        WHEREAS, After receiving a degree in business administration
   1-23  from The University of Texas at Austin in 1948, he resumed his
   1-24  banking career and rose to the top of his field during the next
    2-1  3-1/2 decades, becoming the president of First Security National
    2-2  Bank in 1973 and the president of First Security National Corp., a
    2-3  10-bank holding company the following year; and
    2-4        WHEREAS, Highly regarded for his sound financial acumen,
    2-5  Mr. Wilson was a recognized leader in the banking industry and
    2-6  served on the board of the Houston branch of the Federal Reserve
    2-7  Bank and as a founder and president of the Beaumont chapter of the
    2-8  American Institute of Banking, in addition to filling a variety of
    2-9  other important posts; and
   2-10        WHEREAS, Though he retired in 1983, this remarkable gentleman
   2-11  left a lasting, beneficial mark on his community, as he was among
   2-12  the first of area bankers to extend loans to minorities and to lend
   2-13  needed funds to industry in a manner that enabled the community to
   2-14  prosper; and
   2-15        WHEREAS, An enterprising businessman, he also presided over
   2-16  many successful commercial ventures and lent valuable input as a
   2-17  director of several prominent local businesses, including the
   2-18  Neches Title Company and St. Elizabeth Hospital; and
   2-19        WHEREAS, A member of numerous professional, civic, and social
   2-20  organizations as well, Mr. Wilson dedicated his time and energy to
   2-21  serving in leadership positions for the Beaumont chapter of the
   2-22  American Red Cross, the Beaumont Music Commission, and the Beaumont
   2-23  Art Museum, to name but a few of his many affiliations; and
   2-24        WHEREAS, A loving husband, father, and grandfather, he
   2-25  enjoyed a happy and rewarding marriage with his wife of 43 years,
   2-26  Rosine, and enjoyed spending his free time with the couple's
   2-27  children and grandchildren on their ranch in LaBelle; and
    3-1        WHEREAS, Will Wilson demonstrated outstanding dedication to
    3-2  that which he knew to be right throughout his lifetime and was
    3-3  cherished in his community for his generosity, friendliness, and
    3-4  positive outlook; though his presence will be sorely missed, his
    3-5  memory will surely live on in the many accomplishments he leaves
    3-6  behind; now, therefore, be it
    3-7        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
    3-8  Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Will Wilson and
    3-9  extend deepest sympathy to the members of his family:  to his wife,
   3-10  Rosine; to his children, William E. (Bill) Wilson, Jr., and Rosine
   3-11  Blount Wilson Hall; to his beloved grandchildren, Patrick, Lane,
   3-12  and Rachel; to his sister, Elizabeth Wilson Bennett; and to the
   3-13  many other friends and relatives of this fine man; and, be it
   3-14  further
   3-15        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   3-16  prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
   3-17  House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
   3-18  Will Wilson.