R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The family and friends of William Henry Lafayette
 1-2     Wells of Plano bid a sad farewell to this esteemed Texan last year
 1-3     following his death on July 4, 2000, at the age of 84; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, Named for his grandfather, a Civil War veteran,
 1-5     Mr. Wells was born on May 10, 1916, in Plano, where he would remain
 1-6     a lifelong resident; a graduate of Plano High School, he proudly
 1-7     served his country during World War II as a tech sergeant in the
 1-8     U.S. Army Air Corps with the 493rd Fighter Squadron; and
 1-9           WHEREAS, After returning from the war, he and his brother,
1-10     John, expanded the family farming operation to eventually own and
1-11     manage farms in Delta, Fannin, Lamar, Kaufman, Cass, and Collin
1-12     counties, as well as the Wells Brothers Farm Store in Plano; and
1-13           WHEREAS, While he was widely known as an astute and
1-14     hardworking businessman, Mr. Wells was also known as a talented
1-15     country and western musician; he formed the Dixie Ramblers in 1934,
1-16     which would later become the Wells Brothers Band, and the group has
1-17     been a popular fixture at a host of events through the years; and
1-18           WHEREAS, This distinguished gentleman was a longtime member
1-19     of the First Baptist Church of Plano and gave generously of his
1-20     time and insight to benefit the Collin County Central Appraisal
1-21     District, the Frankford Cemetery Association, the Plano Independent
1-22     School District Vocational Advisory Board, FFA, and the Hendrick
1-23     Foundation; moreover, he was the president and founder of the Old
1-24     Settlers Association of Plano, and through the years contributed
 2-1     greatly to the preservation of the history of his beloved hometown;
 2-2     and
 2-3           WHEREAS, A devoted husband to Barbara, his wife of more than
 2-4     50 years, he also took great pride in his two sons and five
 2-5     grandchildren; and
 2-6           WHEREAS, William Wells was a big-hearted man whose steadfast
 2-7     commitment to his family, community, and country was evident
 2-8     through his many good works; although he is gone from us now, his
 2-9     memory will undoubtedly continue to live on in the hearts and minds
2-10     of all who were privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it
2-11           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
2-12     Legislature hereby honor the life of William H. L. Wells and extend
2-13     sincere sympathy to the members of his family:  to his wife,
2-14     Barbara; to his sons, William Richard Wells and his wife,
2-15     Stephanie, and John Dickerson Wells II and his wife, Mary; to his
2-16     grandchildren, Danielle Wells, William H. L. Wells III, John
2-17     Dickerson Wells III, Robert Wells, and Madeline Wells; to his
2-18     sister, Virginia Wheeler; and to his other relatives and many
2-19     friends; and, be it further
2-20           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-21     prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
2-22     House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
2-23     William H. L. Wells.
                                                                      McCall
                                             _______________________________
                                                   Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.R. No. 421 was unanimously adopted by a
         rising vote of the House on April 5, 2001.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House