By Gallego H.R. No. 992 76R15680 JBR-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The recent passing of William "Bill" Christopher on 1-2 April 11, 1999, at the age of 74, has brought a great loss to the 1-3 family and friends of this respected Marfa businessman; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Mr. Christopher was born in Marfa on May 25, 1924, 1-5 and graduated from Marfa High School before attending Texas A&M 1-6 University; he proudly served his country as a member of the U.S. 1-7 Army Corps of Engineers in the Pacific Theater during World War II, 1-8 and he returned to Marfa to become a partner in Christopher's 1-9 Furniture Store, a business that was started by his father in 1935; 1-10 and 1-11 WHEREAS, In 1975, Mr. Christopher acquired his father's 1-12 interest in the store, and through his visionary guidance the 1-13 business grew into a full-line department store that included 1-14 clothes for people of all ages, as well as gifts, appliances, and 1-15 consumer electronics; the store has evolved into one of the premier 1-16 shopping centers in the region and is now the provider for local 1-17 Internet service; and 1-18 WHEREAS, A community leader as well, this public-spirited man 1-19 was associated with the Marfa Chamber of Commerce and was a member 1-20 of Lions Club International and the International Home Furnishings 1-21 Association and an honorary member of the Texas A&M Ross 1-22 Volunteers; in addition, he was a lifetime member of St. Paul's 1-23 Episcopal Church, which he served as treasurer and lay reader; and 1-24 WHEREAS, Those who were privileged to share the friendship of 2-1 Bill Christopher will long miss his presence, and he will surely be 2-2 remembered with great affection and admiration for many years to 2-3 come; now, therefore, be it 2-4 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-5 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of William "Bill" 2-6 Christopher and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his 2-7 family: to his wife, Billie Marie Christopher; to his daughters, 2-8 G. Gean Christopher and Ann Christopher Dunlap and her husband, Dan 2-9 Dunlap; to his son and daughter-in-law, William W. Christopher, 2-10 Jr., and Pam Christopher; to his stepdaughters and their husbands, 2-11 Melissa and Mark Kemp, Melinda and John Edward Bland, and Charlotte 2-12 and Wayne Allison; to his stepson, Leslie Charles Lindsay and his 2-13 wife, Debra Lindsay; and to his 18 grandchildren and 3 2-14 great-grandchildren; and, be it further 2-15 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-16 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas 2-17 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 2-18 William "Bill" Christopher.