By: Barrientos S.R. No. 327
1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION
1-2 In Memory
1-3 of
1-4 William Sterling Woods
1-5 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the
1-6 citizens of Austin in mourning the loss of respected newspaperman
1-7 William Sterling "Bill" Woods who died February 16, 1995; and
1-8 WHEREAS, Born April 17, 1929, in Galveston, Bill Woods
1-9 graduated from Ball High School and The University of Texas;
1-10 he worked at the Austin American-Statesman as a night police
1-11 reporter and the Midland Reporter-Telegram as a courthouse
1-12 reporter before serving in the United States Army during the
1-13 Korean Conflict; and
1-14 WHEREAS, After his discharge in 1953, he returned to
1-15 Austin to work for the Austin American-Statesman and was
1-16 named City Editor in 1965; he later became Managing Editor of the
1-17 Midland Reporter-Telegram; and
1-18 WHEREAS, Talented and hardworking, Bill Woods was hired as
1-19 the first Chief of Information Services for the Texas Department
1-20 of Welfare, now known as the Department of Human Services, in 1969;
1-21 he served in that position under six commissioners until his
1-22 retirement in 1991; and
1-23 WHEREAS, Mr. Woods was devoted to the City of Austin and to
2-1 Travis County, and he was an exemplary and distinguished citizen
2-2 who was respected for his many accomplishments; he gave Town Lake
2-3 its name while working for the Austin American-Statesman and
2-4 covering city government; and
2-5 WHEREAS, A leader in his community and beloved by his friends,
2-6 Mr. Woods was a passionate Democrat and was a founding member of
2-7 the Headliner's Club and the Govalle Gardenia Club at Cisco's
2-8 Bakery; he was known for his wit and wonderful sense of humor and
2-9 was the organizer of the Texas Chapter of the Man Will Never Fly
2-10 Society; and
2-11 WHEREAS, A man of integrity, strength, and generosity, he
2-12 gave unselfishly of his time to others, and his wisdom, warmth,
2-13 and valued counsel will not be forgotten by those who knew him;
2-14 and
2-15 WHEREAS, A devout Christian, he was a member of the Episcopal
2-16 Church of the Good Shepherd; and
2-17 WHEREAS, Bill Woods was a devoted husband, father, and
2-18 grandfather, and he leaves behind memories that will be treasured
2-19 forever by his family and many friends; now, therefore, be it
2-20 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
2-21 74th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to
2-22 the bereaved family of William Sterling Woods: his wife,
2-23 Virginia "Sandy" Woods; his children, Lee Allison Woods,
2-24 Virginia Anne-Marie Woods, Patricia Anne Trepte, and
2-25 Frank Preston Ward; his sister, Cornelia Spinks Weil; his
3-1 brothers, Brian Spinks and Hughey Spinks; and his nine
3-2 grandchildren; and, be it further
3-3 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
3-4 the members of his family as an expression of deepest sympathy
3-5 from the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this
3-6 day, it do so in memory of Bill Woods.
3-7 ______________________________________
3-8 President of the Senate
3-9 I hereby certify that the above
3-10 Resolution was adopted by the Senate
3-11 on February 27, 1995, by a rising vote.
3-12 ______________________________________
3-13 Secretary of the Senate
3-14 ______________________________________
3-15 Member, Texas Senate