By Christian H.R. No. 96
76R5375 WMS-D
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of William Steve Lilly on May 14, 1998,
1-2 at the age of 66, has brought a great loss not only to the family
1-3 and friends of this distinguished gentleman but to the people of
1-4 East Texas as well; and
1-5 WHEREAS, A native of Nacogdoches, Mr. Lilly was born to J. L.
1-6 and Ava Mae Williams Lilly on December 1, 1931; after graduating
1-7 from Stephen F. Austin Demonstration School and Texas A&M
1-8 University, he went on to pursue graduate studies at both Colorado
1-9 State University and Cornell University, and he proudly served in
1-10 the United States Air Force and the Texas National Guard; and
1-11 WHEREAS, Known throughout East Texas for his farming
1-12 enterprises, Mr. Lilly also served in several capacities with the
1-13 Texas A&M Agricultural Extension Service, and in 1973 he
1-14 established Steve Lilly Auction Service, holding monthly farm
1-15 equipment auctions in Nacogdoches; and
1-16 WHEREAS, Despite these many ventures, this remarkable
1-17 individual still found time to give back to both his hometown and
1-18 the agricultural industry; he served for 10 years as a board member
1-19 and officer of the Texas Farm Bureau, and in his 25 years as a
1-20 member of the Nacogdoches Rotary Club, he amassed a perfect
1-21 attendance record and served on the club's board of directors; and
1-22 WHEREAS, Yet some of his most notable accomplishments took
1-23 him far beyond the city limits of Nacogdoches, as over the past
1-24 three decades Mr. Lilly became an instrumental force in the
2-1 changing face of Texas politics; from his early experiences as a
2-2 member of Students for Eisenhower in the 1950s, he developed a
2-3 lifelong interest in politics that would lead to his later work in
2-4 the presidential campaigns of Ronald Reagan, George Bush, and Bob
2-5 Dole, as well as state campaigns for Governors George W. Bush and
2-6 Bill Clements, Senators Phil Gramm and Kay Bailey Hutchison, and
2-7 many other state officials; and
2-8 WHEREAS, A sustaining member of the Republican National
2-9 Committee and the Texas Republican Party, Mr. Lilly served as a
2-10 delegate to numerous state and national conventions, and he was
2-11 honored for his hard work and dedication with the Hats Off Award of
2-12 the Associated Republicans of Texas and the Dallas Federation of
2-13 Republican Women's Living Legend award; and
2-14 WHEREAS, Throughout his life, Steve Lilly exemplified the
2-15 virtues of hard work, integrity, and civic leadership that made
2-16 this nation strong, and he set a standard of public service and
2-17 professional achievement that will continue to serve as an
2-18 inspiration to all Texans; Mr. Lilly's many contributions to his
2-19 state and nation will not be forgotten, and his spirit will
2-20 undoubtedly live on in the hearts of all who were privileged to
2-21 know him; now, therefore, be it
2-22 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
2-23 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of William Steve Lilly
2-24 and extend deepest sympathy to the members of his family: to his
2-25 beloved wife, Glenda; to his three children, Susan, Gayla, and
2-26 Steven; to his grandchildren, Amy, Stevie, and Kayla; to his
2-27 brother, Brooks; to his wife's parents, H. D. "Buddy" Clifton and
3-1 Eula Mae Jones Clifton; and to all the relatives and friends of
3-2 this fine man; and, be it further
3-3 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-4 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
3-5 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
3-6 William Steve Lilly.