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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The citizens of Terrell lost an esteemed former |
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educator and administrator with the passing of Gilbert Willie, Sr., |
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on February 28, 2013, at the age of 74; and |
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WHEREAS, A 1957 graduate of Burnett High School, Mr. Willie |
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received his bachelor's degree in science from Prairie View A&M |
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University, where he played on the baseball and football teams; he |
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later earned a master's degree in education from East Texas State |
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University; and |
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WHEREAS, Gilbert Willie began his tenure with Terrell |
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Independent School District in 1962 as a teacher and coach; he then |
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served as an assistant principal for several years, and in 1979, he |
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was named principal; in 1984, he became the district's first |
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African American assistant superintendent, and he served in that |
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position until his retirement in 1996; and |
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WHEREAS, Over the years, Mr. Willie received a number of |
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accolades for his outstanding service to the district; in 1984, he |
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was nominated for the Administrator of the Year award given by the |
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Association of Texas Professional Educators, and in 1987, he was |
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among the inaugural class inducted into the Terrell ISD Tiger Hall |
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of Fame; in 2001, the Furlough-Willie Scholarship Foundation was |
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established to assist Terrell ISD graduates and was named in honor |
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of Mr. Willie and his friend and colleague, Herman Furlough, Jr.; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, In addition to his work at Terrell ISD, this dynamic |
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Texan, known to many as "Coach Willie," taught physical education |
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courses at Southwestern Christian College and served as a referee |
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for collegiate games hosted at Burnett High School; moreover, he |
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was a deacon at Bethlehem Baptist Church and was an active member of |
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the Terrell Jaycees and the Kiwanis Club; and |
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WHEREAS, The devoted husband of Barbara Willie, Mr. Willie |
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was also the proud father of three children, Maria, Gilbert, and |
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Gerald; and |
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WHEREAS, Gilbert Willie made an indelible impression on the |
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hearts of all who were privileged to know him, and his legacy will |
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continue to resonate in his community for years to come; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Gilbert Willie, Sr., |
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and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family and to his |
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many 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 Gilbert |
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Willie, Sr. |
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Gooden |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 1830 was unanimously adopted by a |
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rising vote of the House on May 8, 2013. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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