By McCall H.R. No. 421 77R6540 GMW-D 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.