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                                                                  H.R. No. 305



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Residents of Blanco County lost a beloved friend and 
neighbor with the death of William Maurice "Bill" Watson on 
December 27, 2003, at the age of 73; and
	WHEREAS, Born in LaBelle, Florida, in 1930, Mr. Watson moved 
to Johnson City in the 1980s with his wife, Joy, who is a native of 
that Hill Country town; a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel and a 
former resident manager of Blanco County's Browning Ranch, Mr. 
Watson was known throughout the community as the volunteer 
president and director of the North Blanco County Emergency Medical 
Services (EMS) department; he staffed an ambulance during high 
school football games and worked as a driver and paramedic for the 
volunteer department; and
	WHEREAS, Although it is not unusual for EMS directors in 
rural areas to work for free, Mr. Watson's level of commitment was 
extraordinary; a masterful administrator, fund-raiser, and 
speaker, he was able to retain a healthy pool of volunteers and to 
finance equipment purchases through bake sales, garage sales, and, 
later, a successful appeal to area residents to vote for the 
establishment of an emergency services district that would provide 
tax money for the department; because there is no hospital in Blanco 
County, a proficient EMS is crucial, and Mr. Watson's dedication 
went a long way toward making the North Blanco County EMS one of the 
best of all volunteer emergency services in the state; and
	WHEREAS, His civic involvement went beyond his capable 
management of the EMS department; chairman of the Capital Area 
Trauma Regional Advisory Council, Mr. Watson was also an organizing 
member of the Hill Country Critical Incident Stress Management Team 
and an active member and former Grand Master of Johnson City Masonic 
Lodge No. 561; he will be fondly remembered for his attendance at 
nearly every Johnson City sporting event and commissioners court 
meeting held in the past 10 years; and
	WHEREAS, Described by one local resident as the community's 
"medical angel of healing," this gentle, giving man touched 
countless lives throughout Blanco County; although he will be 
sorely missed by his family, friends, and neighbors, the legacy of 
community service, goodwill, and generosity that he leaves behind 
will not soon be forgotten; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature, 4th Called Session, hereby honor the memory of William 
Maurice "Bill" Watson and extend sincere sympathy to the members of 
his family: to his wife, Joy Watson; to his children, William Morris 
Watson, Brenda Lynn Williams, and Denise Mick; to his brother, 
Stanley Watson; to his six grandchildren and great-grandchild; and 
to his other relatives and many 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 
Maurice "Bill" Watson.

                                                                            Rose

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 305 was unanimously adopted by a 
rising vote of the House on May 17, 2004.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House