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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, A full and purposeful life came to an end with the |
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passing of Billy Jack Stiles of Thorndale in January 2009; and |
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WHEREAS, Jack Stiles graduated from Thorndale High School and |
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married his beloved sweetheart Lillian, with whom he enjoyed a |
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fulfilling marriage of more than 55 years; the couple were blessed |
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with three children, Mark, Jacqueline, and Marilyn, as well as nine |
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grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Stiles, a patriotic American, willingly |
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answered his nation's call to duty as a member of the U.S. Air Force |
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during the Korean War; his love of country never diminished after |
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his honorable military service, as he was an active member of the |
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Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States; and |
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WHEREAS, Following his discharge from the military, Mr. |
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Stiles worked in administrative services with the Texas State Board |
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of Insurance until his retirement; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Stiles was a true Godly Southern gentleman of |
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the finest caliber, and he expressed his devotion to His Lord Jesus |
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Christ as a dedicated member of First Baptist Church; and |
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WHEREAS, After the tragic and untimely death of his beloved |
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Lillian from a senseless and unprovoked attack by loose domestic |
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dogs, Mr. Stiles and other family members worked tirelessly with |
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State Representative Dan Gattis to champion the passage of |
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"Lillian's Law," also known as House Bill 1355 of the 80th Texas |
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Legislature; the unwavering dedication of Mr. Stiles to seeing this |
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legislation become law has helped enhance the public safety of |
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residents throughout Texas by reducing the number of such tragic |
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and preventable domestic dog attacks; throughout the legislative |
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session, Mr. Stiles showed truly remarkable poise, dignity, and |
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grace, as was evidenced by his powerful testimony before house and |
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senate committees; and |
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WHEREAS, Although the passing of Jack Stiles has brought |
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great sorrow to all who knew him, he leaves behind a wealth of |
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memories that will long be treasured by those who were privileged to |
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share in his company; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Billy Jack Stiles and |
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extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his |
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children, Mark Stiles and his wife, Cheryl, Jacqueline Williams, |
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and Marilyn Shoemaker and her husband, Bill; to his grandchildren, |
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Nicole King and her husband, Vernon, Alexander Williams and his |
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wife, Danette, Jess "Trey" Williams III, Justin and Jonna Stiles, |
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Brook and David Hampton, Amanda Shoemaker, and Shawn Shoemaker and |
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his wife, Kyndal; to his great-grandchildren, Chase Williams, |
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Andrew and Amanda Lopez, Harley King, Devon Perkins, Paige Stiles, |
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and Savannah and Landan Williams; to his sister, Shirley Ling; and |
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to his other relatives and friends; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Billy Jack |
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Stiles. |