By Chisum H.R. No. 1039 77R15681 WMS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives joins with the 1-2 friends and family of the Honorable Grainger Walter McIlhany in 1-3 mourning the loss of this esteemed Texan, who passed away on March 1-4 20, 2001, at the age of 82; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Judge McIlhany was born April 28, 1918, and earned 1-6 his bachelor's and law degrees from The University of Texas; he 1-7 served his country with distinction during World War II with the 1-8 Thirteenth Armored Division while stationed in Europe; and 1-9 WHEREAS, He joined the legislature in 1948 as a member of the 1-10 Texas House of Representatives, and during his 18 years as a member 1-11 of this body, he was an effective and articulate voice for his 1-12 district; indicative of the respect in which Judge McIlhany was 1-13 held, he was recognized as an outstanding legislator by The Texas 1-14 Lawman; and 1-15 WHEREAS, Continuing his public service, he was elected judge 1-16 of the 31st Judicial District in 1966, an office whose demanding 1-17 duties he faithfully performed until his retirement in 1990; in his 1-18 capacity as judge he presided over significant cases pertaining to 1-19 oil and gas and medical negligence; he also served on the state 1-20 Criminal Justice Council; and 1-21 WHEREAS, In recognition of his many contributions, he was 1-22 selected Man of the Year in 1980 by the Wheeler Chamber of Commerce 1-23 and also received the Pioneer Spirit Award from that organization 1-24 in 1999; and 2-1 WHEREAS, On August 20, 1955, he married the former Dorothy 2-2 Dendinger and shared many happy years with her until her passing in 2-3 December 2000; and 2-4 WHEREAS, Throughout his distinguished tenure as a public 2-5 servant, Judge McIlhany consistently focused his efforts on serving 2-6 the needs of his fellow citizens, and his many accomplishments will 2-7 continue to benefit Texans for years to come; now, therefore, be it 2-8 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-9 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Judge McIlhany and 2-10 extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his 2-11 children, Tom McIlhany, Bill McIlhany, and Anne Kirkpatrick; to his 2-12 sister, Dr. Mary Lou McIlhany; to his sister-in-law, Mary Louise 2-13 Howell; to his seven grandchildren; to his nephew, Steve Tomlin; 2-14 and to the other relatives and many friends and admirers of this 2-15 beloved gentleman; and, be it further 2-16 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-17 prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of 2-18 Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Judge 2-19 Grainger Walter McIlhany.