By: Turner S.R. No. 506
1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION
1-2 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is proud to
1-3 recognize W. D. "Bill" Fitch for his many contributions to
1-4 College Station; and
1-5 WHEREAS, Born in Dallas, Texas, on September 25, 1921, he
1-6 was the son of James P. Fitch and Georgie K. Fitch; Bill attended
1-7 Dallas public schools and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School
1-8 where he had been an honors student for four years and president of
1-9 the State Assembly of Pan American Student Forum; and
1-10 WHEREAS, He attended Texas A&M University, class of 1942,
1-11 and served his country with valor in the United States Army as a
1-12 Captain in Field Artillery from 1943 to 1946 in the China, Burma,
1-13 and India Theatre; and
1-14 WHEREAS, While he was serving in the Armed Forces,
1-15 Bill Fitch met and married Gail Marie Todd in 1944; and together
1-16 they created a warm and supportive environment for their three
1-17 children; and
1-18 WHEREAS, Mr. Fitch began his career in the general
1-19 construction and home construction business in 1947 and continued
1-20 until 1960; he served his community as a College Station City
1-21 Council member and served two terms; during that time he and other
1-22 members were instrumental in passing the city's first ordinances
1-23 providing for curbed and paved streets, as well as complete water
2-1 and sewer development in all new subdivisions; and
2-2 WHEREAS, During the 1960s through the early 1980s, he
2-3 acquired land in south College Station where he developed many
2-4 subdivisions, donated 19 acres for Bee Creek Park, and chartered
2-5 and began developing Southwood Valley, Incorporated; and
2-6 WHEREAS, This newer community encompassed over 1,000 acres
2-7 of homes, apartments, commercial and professional businesses,
2-8 churches, schools, parks, and a regional hospital; and
2-9 WHEREAS, To many of his fellow residents Bill Fitch will
2-10 always be "Mr. College Station" because he and his family have
2-11 been strong advocates in promoting and supporting College Station
2-12 and all the activities that help create a better environment for
2-13 the community; and
2-14 WHEREAS, This distinguished gentleman has supported his
2-15 community by serving on the Board of Directors of the Bank of A&M,
2-16 as Director of the College Station Industrial Foundation, as
2-17 Housing and Development Advisor-Brazos Valley Development Council,
2-18 and as a member of the College Station Independent School District
2-19 Board of Trustees; and
2-20 WHEREAS, A man who enjoys the company of his fellows,
2-21 Mr. Fitch is also a member of the Brazos Valley Shrine Club and
2-22 the College Station Kiwanis Club; he has retired and is enjoying
2-23 his leisure time in Wise County on a 400-acre ranch that his
2-24 grandparents owned; and
2-25 WHEREAS, The many and varied accomplishments of this
3-1 outstanding civic leader have contributed greatly to the progress
3-2 and development of College Station and the State of Texas; he is
3-3 certainly worthy of legislative recognition; now, therefore, be it
3-4 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
3-5 74th Legislature, hereby congratulate W. D. "Bill" Fitch on his
3-6 career of service to his city and state; and, be it further
3-7 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
3-8 him as an expression of highest regard from the Senate of Texas.
3-9 ______________________________________
3-10 President of the Senate
3-11 I hereby certify that the above
3-12 Resolution was adopted by the Senate
3-13 on March 22, 1995.
3-14 ______________________________________
3-15 Secretary of the Senate
3-16 ______________________________________
3-17 Member, Texas Senate