HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
1-1 WHEREAS, The family and many friends of former Alpine mayor
1-2 William James "Bill" Sohl were greatly saddened by his passing on
1-3 May 6, 1998, at the age of 77, and we join them in mourning their
1-4 loss; and
1-5 WHEREAS, Born November 13, 1920, in Pittsfield,
1-6 Massachusetts, Mr. Sohl was graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic
1-7 Institute before serving as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army
1-8 Air Corps; and
1-9 WHEREAS, Over the course of his military service he was
1-10 stationed at Marfa Air Base, during which time he met and married
1-11 the former Mary Jo Richerdson, with whom he had a fine family; and
1-12 WHEREAS, In 1982, Mr. Sohl and the former Merrian Wise were
1-13 joined in wedlock, and she remained his devoted companion
1-14 throughout his life; and
1-15 WHEREAS, A longtime Alpine resident, he was a rancher and
1-16 businessman of ability and integrity, and was also well known for
1-17 his involvement in local government, serving on the city council
1-18 for more than a decade and as mayor for four years; and
1-19 WHEREAS, This vital and valued member of the community lent
1-20 his time and talents to a number of worthy endeavors, including the
1-21 Alpine Chamber of Commerce, American Legion Post 79, the Soil
1-22 Conservation District, the Sul Ross State University Athletic
1-23 Department, the Alpine Public Library, and the Alpine Independent
1-24 School District, and his was also a welcome presence at Alpine's
2-1 First Presbyterian Church, where he served on the Session Committee
2-2 and as a deacon and elder; and
2-3 WHEREAS, Throughout his life, Bill Sohl distinguished himself
2-4 as a treasured asset to his friends, family, and community, and
2-5 although he is greatly missed, his spirit lives on in the hearts of
2-6 all those fortunate enough to have known him; now, therefore, be it
2-7 RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas
2-8 hereby pay tribute to the life of William James "Bill" Sohl and
2-9 extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife,
2-10 Merrian Sohl; to his children, J. Ric Sohl, Rochelle Sohl Waite,
2-11 M.D., Robin Sohl Ritchie, Craig Wise, and Lisa Wise; to his
2-12 grandchildren, Mary Jo Ellig, Eris E. Sanders, William James
2-13 Ritchie, Gregory A. Green, Bryan S. Ritchie, Alan M. Ritchie, James
2-14 Corrick Sohl, Dan Sherrell, Athena Dawn Sherrell, Tara L. Bingham,
2-15 Cody Justin Wise, and Heather Blaskie Wise; and to his
2-16 great-grandchildren, Connor James Ritchie, Kendall Sohl Ellig,
2-17 Keenon Bea Sherrell, Brianna Danniel Sherrell, Britteny Nicole
2-18 Dawkins, and Chelsea Renea Bingham; and, be it further
2-19 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-20 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
2-21 House of Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in
2-22 memory of William James "Bill" Sohl.
Gallego
_______________________________ _______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 151 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on April 16, 1999.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 151 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the Senate on April 23, 1999.
_______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _______________________
Date
_______________________
Governor