By Willis H.R. No. 427
74R8512 SAJ-D
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of Mack H. Williams, at the age of 77,
1-2 has brought a great loss to the many friends and relatives of this
1-3 distinguished Texas newsman; and
1-4 WHEREAS, Mr. Williams began his noteworthy 63-year career in
1-5 the newspaper business at the age of 14 when he went to work in the
1-6 composing room of the Fair Lawn News in New Jersey; well regarded
1-7 for his hard work, skill, and dedication, he quickly was promoted
1-8 to the paper's editorial staff; and
1-9 WHEREAS, His formal education ended in high school, and he
1-10 mustered his formidable talent and determination to teach himself
1-11 about the newspaper business by reading newspapers and studying
1-12 their writing style and makeup; he was amply rewarded for his
1-13 efforts as he excelled in his field and went on to become publisher
1-14 of the Fort Worth News-Tribune; and
1-15 WHEREAS, Like many in his generation, he was a dutiful and
1-16 patriotic man who came to the aid of his country during World War
1-17 II, and he was decorated with the Bronze Star for his exceptional
1-18 efforts to print a daily newspaper on the battlefield of
1-19 Guadalcanal; and
1-20 WHEREAS, Mr. Williams met and married his lovely wife,
1-21 Madeline, when they both were reporters at the Fort Worth
1-22 Star-Telegram in 1947, and the couple enjoyed a deeply fulfilling
1-23 union that lasted 47 years; dedicated to their chosen profession,
1-24 the Williamses went on to build the Fort Worth News-Tribune and The
2-1 Texas Beverage News from scratch, working on a portable typewriter
2-2 in their home; and
2-3 WHEREAS, Mr. Williams continued to contribute to the
2-4 newspaper business as the founding president of the Press Club of
2-5 Fort Worth and served with distinction on the advisory board of the
2-6 North Texas Catholic; and
2-7 WHEREAS, He also was well regarded throughout the industry
2-8 for his work as a freelance journalist and publishing consultant,
2-9 writing numerous articles for Texas and out-of-state publications;
2-10 he was a distinguished historian and author as well, and his book
2-11 In Old Fort Worth offers a compilation of his newspaper articles
2-12 about the early days of Fort Worth and Tarrant County; and
2-13 WHEREAS, Mr. Williams was honored with numerous prestigious
2-14 accolades in the course of his career and, along with his wife, won
2-15 the Ethics in Journalism Award from Texas Christian University in
2-16 1994; and
2-17 WHEREAS, A man of boundless energies and enthusiasm, he
2-18 continued to work for the betterment of his community through his
2-19 exceptional civic involvement; he was a trustee of the University
2-20 of North Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine Foundation and also
2-21 served with distinction as director of the Rotary Club of Fort
2-22 Worth; and
2-23 WHEREAS, He nurtured his abiding interest in history and the
2-24 arts as a valued member of the Arts Council, Kimbell Museum
2-25 Patrons, the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, and the
2-26 Texas State Historical Association; and
2-27 WHEREAS, Mr. Williams was a man of great vision who devoted
3-1 much of his life to serving his community, and though his presence
3-2 will be deeply missed, his unique spirit will surely live on in the
3-3 hearts and minds of the many people whose lives he touched; now,
3-4 therefore, be it
3-5 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
3-6 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Mack H. Williams and
3-7 extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his
3-8 beloved wife, Madeline Crimmins Williams; to his son, Thomas J.
3-9 Williams; to his three grandchildren; and to the many other friends
3-10 and relatives of this exceptional gentleman; and, be it further
3-11 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-12 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
3-13 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
3-14 Mack H. Williams.