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.