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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 347
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In Memory |
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of |
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Willis West Jr. |
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WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and |
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commemorates the life of Willis West Jr., who died March 1, 2019, |
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at the age of 91; and |
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WHEREAS, Willis West Jr. was an exemplary citizen who was |
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widely respected and admired in his community for his |
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achievements and his exceptionally generous spirit; and |
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WHEREAS, He was born on June 18, 1927, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, |
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to Willis West Sr. and Maggie Spears-West, and he attended public |
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schools in Oklahoma; and |
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WHEREAS, He enlisted in the United States Army on January |
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10, 1946, and he served the nation with distinction as a member of |
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a reconnaissance car crew, which provides vital military |
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intelligence to the chain of command; he was stationed at Fort |
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George G. Meade in Maryland and received numerous awards and |
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citations, including the Vietnam Service Medal, the National |
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Defense Service Medal, and the Purple Heart; he received an |
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honorary medal for governance and leadership at the time of his |
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honorable discharge; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. West was a longtime member of the United |
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Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America; self-employed, |
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he secured contracts for businesses and home renovations and |
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served as a mentor to countless young carpenters; he retired in |
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1995 as a master carpenter; and |
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WHEREAS, He also established his own company as a licensed |
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vendor and sold fresh seafood and produce to small businesses and |
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area neighborhoods; he was known for giving away his merchandise |
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rather than see anyone go hungry; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. West was blessed with a wonderful family; his |
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beloved wife of 49 years, Eunice, provided him invaluable support |
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in all his endeavors; his children, Kevin, Royce, Carnell, Willis, |
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Diane, and the late Larry, his stepchildren, James, Wayne, and |
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Kimberly, and his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren were |
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a source of much pride and joy for him; and |
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WHEREAS, A devout Christian who practiced his faith in his |
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daily life, he served as a deacon at Maple Springs Baptist Church |
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in Capital Heights, Maryland, and was a member of House of Praise |
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Ministries, and he took great pleasure in listening to gospel |
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music; and |
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WHEREAS, Willis West Jr. was a man of strength, kindness, |
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and wisdom; his forthrightness and his stern yet fair manner had |
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a profound impact on his family and on all those who were |
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privileged to share in his life; and |
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WHEREAS, A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, he |
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leaves behind memories that will be cherished forever by his |
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family and many friends; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th |
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Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved |
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family of Willis West Jr.; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for |
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his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas |
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Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in |
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memory of Willis West Jr. |
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West |
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________________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that the |
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above Resolution was adopted by |
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the Senate on March 12, 2019, by a |
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rising vote. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |