SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 511

In Memory

of

William McKinley Thacker Jr.

WHEREAS, Family and friends will long cherish their memories of William McKinley Thacker Jr. of Wichita Falls, who passed away on September 6, 2018, at the age of 94; and

WHEREAS, The son of Iva Wooten Thacker and William McKinley Thacker Sr., Bill Thacker was born in Austin on March 13, 1924; he attended Wichita Falls High School and interrupted his education at The University of Texas at Austin to serve in the European theater during World War II; as a gunner with the Eighth Air Force, he flew 30 missions on a B-17; he received a Bronze Star with three oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal, and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and on November 11, 2016, he was awarded the French Legion of Honor; and

WHEREAS, After the war, Mr. Thacker completed both his bachelor's degree in business administration and his law degree at The University of Texas at Austin, and he began his career as an assistant district attorney for Wichita County; in 1953, he married Jan Tydings, and they were blessed with three sons, Billy, Ty, and Jeff; that same year, Mr. Thacker also joined an oil and gas company, Fain and McGaha, where he developed a love of the industry and a strong sense of civic responsibility; in 1990, he and his son, Ty, established 3-T Exploration, and he served as its general counsel for the rest of his life; he was also the founder and principal owner of 5-T Properties, a family partnership; benefiting his profession, he was president of the North Texas Oil & Gas Association, and he served as vice president of the Texas Oil & Gas Association from 1972 until his death; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Thacker shared a rewarding marriage of 49 years with his first wife until her passing, in 2002; fortunate enough to find love a second time, he wed Pat Morrison in 2005, and with the passing years, his family grew to include five grandchildren, Thomas, Sadie, Kagen, Olivia, and McKinley, and a great-grandson, Tydings; a man of faith, Mr. Thacker served First United Methodist Church in numerous capacities; he was a leader in scouting as well, serving as president of the Northwest Texas Council of Boy Scouts of America, and in 2018, when he received the 50-Year Veteran Award, he was recognized as Chief Scout of the council; moreover, the main entrance to Camp Perkins was named Thacker Way in his honor; and

WHEREAS, A kind, humble, and caring man, Bill Thacker was deeply devoted to his family, his community, and his country, and he is remembered with admiration and affection by all who were privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the life of William McKinley Thacker Jr. and extend sincere condolences to his loved ones; 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 Bill Thacker.

Fallon

________________________________

President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 27, 2019, by a rising vote.

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Secretary of the Senate

________________________________

Member, Texas Senate