78R12634 MDM-D

By:  Kuempel                                                      H.R. No. 1048



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The untimely passing of William H. "Bill" Ratz of 
Houston on March 11, 2003, at the age of 61, has deeply saddened the 
family and many friends of this esteemed gentleman; and
	WHEREAS, A native of Magdeburg, Germany, where he was born on 
September 16, 1941, to Erwin and Margarete Ratz, he immigrated to 
the United States and Houston in 1953; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Ratz graduated from Lamar High School and The 
University of Texas and served his country with distinction as a 
member of the United States Air Force; and
	WHEREAS, Professionally, he was a valued member of the 
insurance and bond business throughout his notable career and most 
recently served as vice chairman of Willis of Texas, Inc., in 
Houston; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Ratz contributed his time and resources to 
myriad civic organizations, including serving as a director of the 
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the Houston Farm and Ranch 
Club, as president of the Whitehall Club and past president of the 
Texas Good Roads Transportation Association, as a pastoral care 
committee member at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, and as a board 
member of Can Care and the McDonald Observatory; and
	WHEREAS, Moreover, he held many posts locally and nationally 
with the Association of General Contractors and was a member of the 
Lakeside Country Club, the University Club, and the Houston Yacht 
Club; his leisure activities of fly fishing, sailing, hunting, and 
golf reflected an avid interest in outdoor pursuits; and
	WHEREAS, Those who shared in the life of Bill Ratz will long 
miss his friendship, his sense of humor, and his irrepressible 
grin, and he will surely be remembered with great affection and 
admiration for many years to come; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of William H. "Bill" Ratz 
and extend heartfelt sympathy to his loved ones:  to his wife of 34 
years, Louise McCullough Ratz; to his daughter, Leslie Ratz 
Easterling, and her husband, Brandon; and to all those who mourn the 
passing of this beloved man; 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 H. 
Ratz.