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                                                                  H.R. No. 1072



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, With the passing of Wilburn Samuel Oatman on April 
26, 2002, at the age of 91, the citizens of Llano and Llano County 
lost a much-admired native son; and
	WHEREAS, Born on November 27, 1910, to Wilburn F. P. and Dora 
Dowdy Oatman, Mr. Oatman was a descendant of pioneer settlers of his 
hometown and county; his great-grandfather cofounded the Valley 
Spring community while his Oatman forebears settled the town of 
Llano and what is today known as Oatman Creek; and
	WHEREAS, He attended Southern Methodist University and later 
enrolled at Southwestern University, where he met his future bride, 
Frances Hicks; married on March 4, 1934, the couple made their home 
in Llano and enjoyed a warm and fulfilling relationship that was 
blessed with a cherished family, including two children, four 
grandchildren, and one great-grandchild; and
	WHEREAS, "Wilburn, Jr.," as he was known, joined the 
1882-established Oatman Law Firm, the oldest ongoing business in 
the county, and practiced law, first with his father and later with 
his son, from 1933 until his retirement nearly six decades later; he 
also was president of the county's oldest abstract and title 
company, and his assistance was instrumental in the development of 
the area; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Oatman devoted time and energy to public service 
as a longtime Llano city secretary and twice-elected mayor; during 
his tenure, the citizenry benefited from countless improvements, a 
few of which were the acquisition of land for amenities such as a 
park and golf course, construction of a dam to provide water storage 
and recreation opportunities, better streets, a sewage plant 
expansion, and the installation of dial telephones; and
	WHEREAS, A charter member of the Llano Chamber of Commerce 
and the Llano Lions Club, he was a Mason, Scottish Rite Shriner, a 
board member of the Llano Museum, and a lifelong member of the Lutie 
Watkins Memorial United Methodist Church; his professional and 
civic affiliations included the American and Highland Lakes bar 
associations, the State Bar of Texas, and the Texas Land Title 
Association; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Oatman also published a documentary on the 
city's history for its centennial celebration, wrote 
history-based, nostalgic articles published by the Llano News, and 
authored a special edition for the Old Friends Great Texas 
Courthouses 1995 calendar; an excellent photographer who did his 
own developing, he provided the photography for Llano, Gem of the 
Hill Country, a book written by his father, took photographs for the 
revised version, and wrote additional chapters, with the assistance 
of his daughter; and
	WHEREAS, A highlight of his life was the 2002 presentation of 
a 75-year membership award from Llano Masonic Lodge No. 242; his 
honors also included a Llano County Hall of Fame Award in 1995 and a 
1994 Distinguished Agent's Award, one of only four given in the 
State of Texas to abstract and title company personnel; and
	WHEREAS, The life of Wilburn Samuel Oatman has been an 
immeasurable blessing to his family, his friends, and the citizens 
of Llano County, and this remarkable gentleman will long be 
remembered for his contributions to Llano and his fascination with 
its history; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Wilburn Samuel Oatman 
and extend sincere sympathy to his wife of 68 years, Frances Oatman; 
to his daughter, Sarah Oatman Franklin, to his son, Sam Oatman and 
daughter-in-law, Diane; to his grandchildren, Trey and Lance 
Franklin, Theron Oatman, and Jeannette Oatman Whitus and her 
husband, Brent; to his great-grandchild, Mikayla Catherine Whitus; 
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 Wilburn 
Samuel Oatman.

                                                                      Hilderbran


                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 1072 was unanimously adopted by a 
rising vote of the House on May 23, 2003.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House