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79R12440 JHS-D
By: Hughes H.R. No. 1340
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The city of Mineola lost one of its most beloved
residents and admired civic leaders with the passing of Dr. William
Howard Wisner on March 13, 2005, at the age of 77; and
WHEREAS, Born in Grand Saline on March 15, 1927, Howard
Wisner was the son of pioneer aviator Bryce C. Wisener and Edna
Sally Terry; from his barnstorming father, Dr. Wisner gained a
lifelong passion for aviation and all things aeronautical, while
his physician grandfather instilled in him a love and respect for
the practice of medicine that had a profound impact on countless
people; and
WHEREAS, After serving as a lieutenant colonel with the 5th
Army Air Corps during the Korean War, Dr. Wisner returned to his
hometown, where he was the chief flight instructor for the Wisener
School of Aeronautics and the author of "Aviation News," a weekly
column in the Mineola Monitor; and
WHEREAS, This skilled aviator flew domestically for Delta
Airlines for eight years in the 1950s, still finding time to earn a
bachelor's degree from East Texas State Teacher's College in 1954;
he went on to graduate from the University of Texas Southwestern
Medical School in 1960 and, after completing a two-year internship
at Baylor University Medical School, became the chief resident of
orthopedic surgery at Crippled Children's Hospital in Birmingham,
Alabama; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Wisner was a longtime member of the American
Medical Association and the Texas Medical Association; when he
returned to Texas from Alabama, he became the first orthopedic
surgeon in Garland and played a prominent role in establishing
orthopedic surgery at Baylor-Garland Hospital; his thirst for
knowledge and his love for the written word compelled him to earn a
master's degree in English literature from Southern Methodist
University in 1974, and throughout his life he remained an ardent
supporter of the arts; and
WHEREAS, Although his passions were many, Dr. Wisner took
particular pleasure in piloting one of his aircraft, either solo or
with his beloved wife, Janice; he logged more than 20,000 flying
hours during his lifetime and soared through the airspace above the
world's great oceans and traversed six of the seven continents;
circumnavigating the globe on four separate occasions, once with
his father and three times with Janice, also an accomplished pilot,
this generous and thoughtful man drew on his favorite pastime to
help others as well, piloting handicapped children to camp; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Wisner was a four-time recipient of the National
Aeronautic Association and the Federation Aeronautique
Internationale award; he enjoyed membership in the Explorer's Club,
the Businessman's Flying Association, the American Bonanza
Society, and the Order of the Quiet Birdmen; he provided
encouragement and assistance for young people pursuing academic
education and careers in aviation, and was a founding member of St.
Dunstan's Episcopal Church; and
WHEREAS, Though it is impossible to gauge the full effect of a
man's life, some individuals leave their unmistakable mark on the
world as they move through it, and Dr. Wisner's accomplishments and
contributions will continue to resonate in the lives of all who knew
him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Dr. William Howard
Wisner and extend deepest sympathy to his surviving family members:
to his wife, Janice Wisner; to his daughters, Marilyn Allen and
Carolyn Wisner; to his step-daughter, Teresa Powell; to his
grandchildren, Travis Allen and Troy and Brent Powell; and to the
many other relatives and friends of this esteemed gentleman; 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 Dr. William
Howard Wisner.