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.