By Stiles H.R. No. 146 74R4926 PFG-D 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.