SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 528
 
  In Memory
  of
  William Henry Griffith, Jr.
 
         WHEREAS, Family and friends of William Henry Griffith, Jr.,
  of Austin mourn his passing on February 4, 2007, at the age of 85;
  and
         WHEREAS, Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on July 5, 1921,
  Bill Griffith graduated from Fenwick High School near Chicago and
  later earned a degree in mechanical engineering from Ohio State
  University; and
         WHEREAS, Answering his nation's call to duty, Mr. Griffith
  served four years in the United States Army in the South Pacific
  during World War II, reaching the rank of captain in the
  96th Infantry Division; he received two Purple Hearts, including
  one for the wound he received in action on April 1, 1945, during
  the assault on Okinawa; and
         WHEREAS, Three weeks after returning home from the war, he
  married Margaret Hilger, and together they moved to Port Arthur,
  where Mr. Griffith worked for Texaco, helping to build and manage
  petrochemical facilities; and
         WHEREAS, Retiring in 1982, Mr. Griffith continued to work
  as a consultant for the firm of Stone and Webster, which
  constructs refineries all over the world; he and his wife enjoyed
  the adventure of living in such far-flung places as Malaysia and
  Indonesia; and
         WHEREAS, After the death of Mrs. Griffith in 1985,
  Mr. Griffith kept active by traveling to visit his children and
  grandchildren all over Texas and the Midwest; a devout Catholic,
  he was active with many charities, from the Lions Club to a group
  of volunteers that provides free tax advice at the local library;
  and
         WHEREAS, Bill Griffith was a gentle soul and a devoted
  family man who contributed selflessly to his community, and he
  has left behind many fond memories that will be forever treasured
  by those who were privileged to share in his love and friendship;
  now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
  80th Legislature, hereby honor the life of William Henry Griffith, Jr.,
  and offer sincere condolences to his family:  his sons,
  William Henry Griffith III and his wife, Shayne, and
  Anthony Griffith and his wife, Mary Lou; his daughters,
  Carol Ramberg and her husband, Eric, Joan Wiggins and her
  husband, Dane, Mary Pat Wilhelmi and her husband, James, and
  Catherine Cahan and her husband, Richard; his sisters,
  Mary Margaret Lawson, Kathleen Theado, and Angela Skrivanich;
  his 20 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; and to his
  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 Senate adjourns
  this day, it do so in memory of William Henry Griffith, Jr.
  Janek
 
 
 
  ________________________________ 
      President of the Senate
   
      I hereby certify that the
  above Resolution was adopted by
  the Senate on March 20, 2007, by a
  rising vote.
 
 
 
  ________________________________ 
      Secretary of the Senate
 
 
 
  ________________________________ 
       Member, Texas Senate