By: Harris S.R. No. 540
1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION
1-2 In Memory
1-3 of
1-4 Charlie Love Hillard
1-5 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the citizens
1-6 of Fort Worth in mourning the loss of "King" Charlie Love Hillard
1-7 who died February 13, 1995, at the age of 89; and
1-8 WHEREAS, Born December 4, 1906, at Oakview Farm near
1-9 Jackson, Tennessee, Charlie Hillard graduated from high school
1-10 in 1925 and moved to Fort Worth to begin work as a porter for
1-11 J. B. Jordan Motor Company; six months later, he became half owner
1-12 of the company which was renamed Jordan-Hillard Motor Company; and
1-13 WHEREAS, A talented individual with an engaging personality,
1-14 King Charlie was awarded the first-made V-8 Ford by winning a sales
1-15 contest while working at Cook Melton Ford during the 1930s; and
1-16 WHEREAS, He purchased a Ford dealership which became
1-17 Charlie Hillard Ford in 1959; later, Mr. Hillard and other
1-18 family members built one of the largest and most respected
1-19 dealer organizations in the country--Hillard Auto Park, a
1-20 22-acre complex in Fort Worth consisting of seven dealerships;
1-21 and
1-22 WHEREAS, King Charlie was an ingenious businessman who
1-23 contributed to the betterment of the New Car Dealers Association
2-1 of Tarrant County, the Texas Automobile Dealers Association, and
2-2 the National Automobile Dealers Association; his advice was often
2-3 sought by the Ford Motor Company and by members of the Ford family;
2-4 and
2-5 WHEREAS, An exemplary and distinguished gentleman,
2-6 King Charlie was respected in the community for his many
2-7 accomplishments and was a well-known and beloved civic leader
2-8 who was active in a number of organizations; and
2-9 WHEREAS, For 47 years, he was a trustee of Texas Wesleyan
2-10 University and a trustee of Cook Children's Hospital; he was an
2-11 organizer of the Fort Worth Junior Chamber of Commerce and of
2-12 Westside State Bank, later known as Bank of Fort Worth; he was
2-13 a longtime active member of the Downtown Rotary Club; and
2-14 WHEREAS, Remarkably generous, caring, and compassionate,
2-15 King Charlie gave unselfishly of his time to others, and his
2-16 wisdom, warmth, and valued counsel will not be forgotten by those
2-17 who knew him; and
2-18 WHEREAS, He was a man of high moral principles whose honesty
2-19 and sincere commitment to family and community were unparalleled;
2-20 and
2-21 WHEREAS, An avid organic gardener, he had one of the most
2-22 productive gardens in Fort Worth and was known to quietly grace
2-23 the doors of his neighbors with bundles of fresh vegetables; and
2-24 WHEREAS, A devout Christian, he was a member of the First
2-25 Methodist Church where he served on the Board of Stewards and the
3-1 Finance Committee; and
3-2 WHEREAS, Charlie Hillard was a devoted husband, father, and
3-3 grandfather, and he leaves behind memories that will be treasured
3-4 forever by his family and many friends; now, therefore, be it
3-5 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
3-6 74th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
3-7 family of Charlie Love Hillard: his wife, Mary Jane Roberts Hillard;
3-8 his children, Shirley Hillard and Charlie R. Hillard; and his
3-9 grandchildren; and, be it further
3-10 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the
3-11 members of his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from
3-12 the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it
3-13 do so in memory of Charlie Hillard.
3-14 ______________________________________
3-15 President of the Senate
3-16 I hereby certify that the above
3-17 Resolution was adopted by the Senate
3-18 on March 27, 1995, by a rising vote.
3-19 ______________________________________
3-20 Secretary of the Senate
3-21 ______________________________________
3-22 Member, Texas Senate