R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The family and friends of William Henry "Bill" 1-2 Mercer, Sr., of Edna, were deeply saddened by the passing of this 1-3 esteemed Texan on January 10, 2001, at the age of 84; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Born on March 28, 1916, Mr. Mercer belonged to a 1-5 pioneer Texas family, four generations removed from ancestors who 1-6 arrived in Texas with Stephen F. Austin in 1822; many of his 1-7 distinguished forebears include heroes and patriots of the Texas 1-8 Revolution; and 1-9 WHEREAS, Living through the Great Depression taught 1-10 Mr. Mercer resourcefulness and an appreciation for honest work; he 1-11 participated in the Civilian Conservation Corps and undertook 1-12 various professions, including playing semipro baseball and 1-13 welding; and 1-14 WHEREAS, During World War II, Mr. Mercer used his welding 1-15 expertise in work critical to the war effort and answered his 1-16 country's call by joining the United States Navy Seabees; and 1-17 WHEREAS, In 1947, Mr. Mercer established two companies, 1-18 Lolita Builders Supply and Mercer Construction Company, and in 1950 1-19 he moved them to Edna; in addition to possessing great business 1-20 acumen, Mr. Mercer harbored a deep compassion for people, as was 1-21 evidenced after Hurricane Carla devastated the small town; 1-22 demonstrating his altruism, he reserved his time and materials for 1-23 the immediate reconstruction of local hospitals, medical offices, 1-24 and schools while postponing repairs to his own home; and 2-1 WHEREAS, Mercer Construction remained a viable and lasting 2-2 enterprise through the years, evolving from building construction 2-3 to water and sewer construction; after the company was made into a 2-4 corporation, Mr. Mercer managed the business with the same honesty 2-5 and high-quality customer service for which he had always been 2-6 known; and 2-7 WHEREAS, In 1991, the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce 2-8 bestowed the much-deserved honor of "Business Person of the Year" 2-9 on Mr. Mercer, and recently Mercer Construction renamed its 2-10 scholarship program for high school graduates to the W. H. Mercer, 2-11 Sr., Memorial Scholarship Fund in his honor; and 2-12 WHEREAS, A devoted husband and father and successful and 2-13 respected businessman, Mr. Mercer continues to have a positive 2-14 impact on this world as his good spirit lives on in the hearts of 2-15 the many people he so deeply affected; now, therefore, be it 2-16 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-17 Legislature hereby honor the memory of William Henry Mercer, Sr., 2-18 and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his 2-19 wife, Thelma Lea Shows Mercer; to his sons, W. H. "Billy" Mercer, 2-20 Jr., and his wife, Yvonne; Sherrel A. Mercer and his wife, Cecelia; 2-21 John D. Mercer and his wife, Anne; Marvin L. Mercer and his wife, 2-22 Glenda; and Pat Mercer and his wife, Jacque; to his sister, Frances 2-23 Ling; to his 14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; and to 2-24 all his other relatives and friends; and, be it further 2-25 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared 2-26 for his family and that when the Texas House of Representatives 2-27 adjourns this day, it do so in memory of William Henry Mercer, Sr. Seaman _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 269 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on March 6, 2001. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House