By Staples                                            H.R. No. 1283
         76R17807 BE-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The recent passing of Jack Williams, a lifelong
 1-2     resident of Tennessee Colony, on March 7, 1999, at the age of 77,
 1-3     has brought a great loss to the family and many friends of this
 1-4     esteemed Texan; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, Mr. Williams was born on a farm in Tennessee Colony
 1-6     on October 6, 1921, and his years there would shape the rest of his
 1-7     life with the values of patriotism, family, faith, and farming; and
 1-8           WHEREAS, After graduating from Palestine High School in 1939,
 1-9     Mr. Williams married his childhood sweetheart, Jessie; their union
1-10     was blessed with four children, and the pair celebrated their 59th
1-11     wedding anniversary last Christmas; and
1-12           WHEREAS, This enterprising gentleman was a rancher and, for
1-13     39 years, a rural mail carrier, and he became a tireless voice for
1-14     the farmers and ranchers of his community; and
1-15           WHEREAS, He served on the executive committee and was
1-16     president of the Anderson County Farm Bureau for 35 years; he was a
1-17     delegate to 41 annual State Farm Bureau conventions and led the
1-18     Anderson County Cattle Raisers Association; and he was honored with
1-19     the Pioneer Award from the Texas Farm Bureau for his invaluable,
1-20     longtime service; and
1-21           WHEREAS, Faith too played a vital part in his life, and
1-22     Mr. Williams was on the board of trustees of the Tennessee Colony
1-23     Union Church and was a deacon and Sunday school teacher with the
1-24     First Baptist Church of Palestine; he was a past master and 56-year
 2-1     member of Tyre Lodge No. 198, A.F.&A.M., a member of O.E.S. Chapter
 2-2     No. 102, and a past district deputy grand master of the 117th
 2-3     Masonic District; and
 2-4           WHEREAS, He was active in community government both as a
 2-5     member of the Tennessee Colony School Board and as president of the
 2-6     Tennessee Colony Improvement Association; the energy and direction
 2-7     of this extraordinary man will be deeply missed, but surely his
 2-8     spirit lives on through the remarkable work he accomplished and in
 2-9     the sterling example he set for others, and it is indeed
2-10     appropriate to honor his memory at this time; now, therefore, be it
2-11           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
2-12     Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Jack Williams and
2-13     extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his
2-14     beloved wife, Jessie Williams; to his daughters, Mary Richert and
2-15     Carole Luevano; to his sons, Lee Williams and Jack Williams, Jr.;
2-16     to his brother, O. L. Williams; and to his 15 grandchildren and 7
2-17     great-grandchildren; and, be it further
2-18           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-19     prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
2-20     House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
2-21     Jack Williams.