By Bosse, Talton H.R. No. 618
74R10457 PFG-D
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of Bill Hendrix, Sr., on March 6, 1995,
1-2 at the age of 65, has deeply saddened the many friends and
1-3 relatives of this esteemed gentleman; and
1-4 WHEREAS, A native of Shubuta, Mississippi, Mr. Hendrix was
1-5 reared on a plantation in Delhi, Louisiana, where his father worked
1-6 as a sharecropper, and from an early age learned the virtues of
1-7 hard work and thrift that enabled him to build his own successful
1-8 business as the founder of Bill Hendrix Auto Parts; and
1-9 WHEREAS, In his teens, Mr. Hendrix moved with his family to
1-10 the Channelview area of Houston, and they soon bought a home on
1-11 Market Street, the same road on which he secured his first job at
1-12 the local Gulf Oil service station; and
1-13 WHEREAS, In 1950, he accepted employment with McGee and
1-14 Ramsey Truck and Auto Parts in Channelview, where he gained his
1-15 initial exposure to the rapidly expanding automotive parts field;
1-16 three years later, he joined with his partner, Howard Dewey, to
1-17 embark on a risky venture with the opening of their own auto parts
1-18 store in Galena Park; and
1-19 WHEREAS, Flourishing from the outset, the company quickly
1-20 became a prosperous member of the local business community, and by
1-21 the 1960s, the pair had opened several more parts stores in the
1-22 area before dissolving their partnership to pursue new
1-23 opportunities; and
1-24 WHEREAS, Striking out on his own, Mr. Hendrix established the
2-1 original Bill Hendrix Auto Parts store on Market Street in 1963, on
2-2 a section of this busy thoroughfare that was known at the time as
2-3 Greens Bayou; popular with customers for its wide selection of
2-4 parts, knowledgeable staff, and fair prices, the store thrived
2-5 under Mr. Hendrix's direction and became a commercial landmark in
2-6 the North Channel area; and
2-7 WHEREAS, Mr. Hendrix opened a second location in the early
2-8 1970s, in the building formerly occupied by McGee and Ramsey, where
2-9 he had begun his auto parts career so many years before; and
2-10 WHEREAS, This distinguished gentleman was an important
2-11 pioneer in his field and played an active role in its development
2-12 as an early member of the Auto Parts Wholesalers of Texas and as a
2-13 member of Carquest, a key parts distribution group; a man who cared
2-14 deeply for the welfare of others, he also was a staunch
2-15 behind-the-scenes supporter of a number of local civic
2-16 organizations to which he gave generously of his time and financial
2-17 resources; and
2-18 WHEREAS, At home, Mr. Hendrix enjoyed a loving partnership
2-19 with his wife, Joyce, and a close relationship with the members of
2-20 his family, all of whom resided locally; and
2-21 WHEREAS, Much loved by his neighbors in Channelview, Bill
2-22 Hendrix, Sr., made many lasting contributions to his community as a
2-23 businessman and as a citizen, and his memory will long endure in
2-24 the hearts of all who were privileged to know him; now, therefore,
2-25 be it
2-26 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
2-27 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Bill Hendrix, Sr.,
3-1 and extend deepest sympathy to the members of his family: to his
3-2 wife, Joyce; to his sons and daughters-in-law, Bill Hendrix, Ricky
3-3 Hendrix, Dennis Hendrix, Connie Hendrix, and Sally Hendrix; to his
3-4 daughter and son-in-law, Renee and Doug Golden; to his
3-5 grandchildren, Billy, Allen, Gregory, Chad, Sheala, Vicki, Abigail,
3-6 and Kira; to his mother, Cressie Hendrix; to his sisters, June
3-7 Bettes and Faye Caldwell; and to the many other friends and
3-8 relatives of this fine man; and, be it further
3-9 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-10 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
3-11 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
3-12 Bill Hendrix, Sr.