By: Montford S.R. No. 307
1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION
1-2 In Memory
1-3 of
1-4 Wiley Bert Dennis
1-5 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the
1-6 citizens of West Texas in mourning the death of one of the
1-7 area's well-known and respected ranchers, Wiley Bert Dennis;
1-8 and
1-9 WHEREAS, The distinguished gentleman was the son of
1-10 Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Dennis, descendents of pioneer families who
1-11 settled in Dallas County; he was born on March 19, 1910, in
1-12 Farmers Branch and moved with his family to San Angelo in the
1-13 1920s; and
1-14 WHEREAS, Young Bert graduated from San Angelo High School
1-15 and attended San Angelo Junior College before beginning an
1-16 extensive ranching career; with the help of their father, Bert
1-17 and his two brothers leased a Pecos County ranch where they ran
1-18 sheep and cattle; and
1-19 WHEREAS, Bert Dennis married Dorothy Lee Austin in
1-20 San Angelo on September 9, 1938, and they moved to the ranch in
1-21 Fort Stockton; in 1942 the couple sold their lease and moved to
1-22 the old Marion Long place in Borden County where Mr. Dennis lived
1-23 the rest of his life; and
2-1 WHEREAS, An innovative rancher whose foresight brought
2-2 change to the ranching industry, Mr. Dennis was the first rancher
2-3 in Borden County to use a Piper Cub in his ranch work for rounding
2-4 up cattle as well as in the constant effort to keep the coyote
2-5 population under control; and
2-6 WHEREAS, Mr. Dennis contributed his time and energies to
2-7 his community and was deeply involved in the education of the
2-8 children of Borden County; he served as president of the school
2-9 board during the time the school expanded its program to include
2-10 all grades; he was a constant advocate of all school sports and
2-11 continued to be involved throughout his life; and
2-12 WHEREAS, In recognition of his exceptional contributions
2-13 to the development of young people, he received numerous honors
2-14 and awards from 4-H as well as other school-related programs; and
2-15 WHEREAS, An honorary life member of the Texas Sheep and
2-16 Goat Raisers Association, Mr. Dennis was named Rancher of the Year
2-17 in 1985 by the Colorado River Soil and Water Conservation Service;
2-18 he served with distinction as president of the Animal Control
2-19 Association for many years and as chairman of the Animal Damage
2-20 Control Committee of the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association;
2-21 and
2-22 WHEREAS, The death of such a fine gentleman and beloved
2-23 Texan is poignantly felt not only by his family and friends but
2-24 by all those whose lives he touched; his wisdom and generosity
2-25 will be missed by many; now, therefore, be it
3-1 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
3-2 74th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the
3-3 family of Wiley Bert Dennis: his wife, Dorothy; his sons,
3-4 Steve Dennis and Joel Dennis; his daughter, Lisa Dennis Mahler;
3-5 and his four grandchildren; and, be it further
3-6 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared
3-7 for his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the
3-8 Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it
3-9 do so in memory of Wiley Bert Dennis.
3-10 ______________________________________
3-11 President of the Senate
3-12 I hereby certify that the above
3-13 Resolution was adopted by the Senate
3-14 on February 27, 1995, by a rising vote.
3-15 ______________________________________
3-16 Secretary of the Senate
3-17 ______________________________________
3-18 Member, Texas Senate