78S10790 JNC-D

By:  Brown of Kaufman                                             H.R. No. 153



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Residents of Terrell lost a beloved neighbor and 
friend with the passing of William Albert Porter on July 15, 2003; 
and
	WHEREAS, One of nine children, Mr. Porter was born January 
22, 1909, on the Porter Farm, where he lived 78 of his 94 years; and
	WHEREAS, He graduated from Terrell High School and went on to 
attend Texas A&M University, where he served as business manager of 
the 1930 university annual and earned a bachelor of science degree 
in agricultural administration; after graduation, he was able to 
apply his studies with the Soil Conservation Service, helping to 
coordinate the work of eight Civilian Conservation Corps camps; and
	WHEREAS, This notable Texan rendered distinguished service 
to his country, working in infantry replacement training camps and 
serving in the 503rd Port Battalion in the Philippines and on a ship 
returning prisoners of war to Japan; achieving the advanced rank of 
lieutenant colonel, he returned home and continued to serve in the 
Infantry Reserve for many years; and
	WHEREAS, In 1946, Mr. Porter and his brother Harry became  
partners in the Porter Farm, where they worked together in 
ranching, farming, seed processing, and sales; he was active in the 
Farm Bureau and helped to organize the North Terrell 4-H Club; and
	WHEREAS, A deeply religious man who lived by his faith, Mr. 
Porter was a member of the First Baptist Church of Terrell and 
served as a Sunday school teacher, deacon, and trustee; he was also 
involved  in the Kauf-Van Baptist Association and was a life member 
of the Southwestern Theological Seminary Advisory Council; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Porter gave generously of his time and talents 
to worthwhile initiatives in his community, serving on the 
committees responsible for the creation of Blackland Income Growth 
and Build East Texas and devoting two years as president of the 
school board for the Terrell Independent School District; and
	WHEREAS, Married for 67 years, Mr. Porter and Lucile Childers 
Porter exemplified mutual love, trust, and respect throughout their 
years together; they were blessed with a daughter, Billie Pat 
Porter Jones, and a son, John Brooks Porter, who became a partner of 
Porter Farm; and
	WHEREAS, Those who were privileged to know Bill Porter will 
long miss his faithful spirit, but his memory will surely live on in 
the hearts of the many people whose lives he touched; now, 
therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of 
William Albert Porter and extend sincere sympathy to the members of 
his family: to his wife, Lucile; to his daughter, Billie Pat Porter 
Jones, and her husband, Leo Jones; to his son, John Brooks Porter, 
and his wife, Carolyn Porter; to his grandchildren, Rebecca Porter, 
Karen Jones McKinney and her husband, Cliff McKinney, Janet Porter 
Stovall and her husband, Jeremy Stovall, and David Jones; to his 
great-grandson, Blake Porter Stovall; and to his many other 
relatives and friends; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of 
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of William 
Albert Porter.