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.