By Driver                                              H.R. No. 681

         75R11004 BNL-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, The death of Johnnie Lee Wilhelm on June 26, 1996,

 1-2     at the age of 69, brought a great loss to the family and many

 1-3     friends of this esteemed gentleman, and it is indeed appropriate

 1-4     that he be remembered at this time; and

 1-5           WHEREAS, A lifelong Texan, Mr. Wilhelm was born in the

 1-6     community of Tahoka in 1926; he proudly answered his country's call

 1-7     to arms in World War II, serving with distinction in both the Asian

 1-8     and European theaters of operation, and when the war ended, he

 1-9     furthered his education by attending night classes at Dallas

1-10     College of Southern Methodist University; and

1-11           WHEREAS, After successfully earning his Certified Public

1-12     Accountant license, he embarked on a long and distinguished career

1-13     in the city of Garland; a co-founder, charter member, and treasurer

1-14     of the Dallas chapter of the National Conference of CPA

1-15     Practitioners, he also brought his expertise and professional

1-16     experience to his position as a charter board member of both

1-17     Century Bank & Trust Company and Texas Bank & Trust; and

1-18           WHEREAS, Despite the demands of his career, Mr. Wilhelm

1-19     continually made time in his busy schedule to work for the

1-20     betterment of his community; he served in several different

1-21     leadership capacities throughout the course of his 30-year

1-22     involvement with Kiwanis International, and he also offered

1-23     thoughtful guidance as a board member of the local chapter of the

1-24     American Heart Association, the YMCA, and the Juvenile Board of the

 2-1     City of Garland; Mr. Wilhelm was also a driving force behind the

 2-2     creation of Memorial Hospital of Garland, now Baylor Medical Center

 2-3     of Garland, and the Garland Civic Theatre; and

 2-4           WHEREAS, Throughout all his endeavors, Mr. Wilhelm was aided

 2-5     by the love and support of his wife, Nila, and the couple's four

 2-6     children, as well as by his own positive outlook on life; an

 2-7     inveterate joke teller, he infused those around him with a warmth

 2-8     and humor that made even the most commonplace day extraordinary,

 2-9     and his love of life and of his work was an inspiration to all who

2-10     knew him; and

2-11           WHEREAS, Johnnie Lee Wilhelm left an indelible mark on the

2-12     Garland community; his many contributions there stand as a

2-13     testament to this remarkable man, and he will long be remembered by

2-14     those whose lives he touched; now, therefore, be it

2-15           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

2-16     Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Johnnie Lee Wilhelm

2-17     and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his

2-18     beloved wife, Nila Ruth Lynn Wilhelm; to his children, Carol Martin

2-19     and her husband Al Martin, Betty Horton and her husband Dave

2-20     Horton, Johnny Lee Wilhelm, Jr., and his wife Susan Wilhelm, and

2-21     Lisa Felder; to his grandchildren, Charles Russell, David Russell,

2-22     Kelly Horton, Shana Horton, Jennifer Wilhelm, Johnny Lee Wilhelm

2-23     III, Zachary Felder, and Kelsey Felder; to his great-granddaughter,

2-24     Ashley Russell; to his sisters, Era Pittman, Dolores Pollock, and

2-25     Bama Hill; to his brothers, Glenn Wilhelm and Ronnie Wilhelm; and

2-26     to all the relatives and friends of this fine gentleman; and, be it

2-27     further

 3-1           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

 3-2     prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas

 3-3     House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of

 3-4     Johnnie Lee Wilhelm.