88R23432 AMB-D
 
  By: Hunter H.R. No. 1150
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, A life made rich through meaningful service drew to
  a close with the passing of William Ryle Edwards Jr. of Corpus
  Christi on March 13, 2023, at the age of 91; and
         WHEREAS, The son of Catherine and William Edwards, Bill
  Edwards was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, on August 25, 1931, and
  he grew up in Virginia with the companionship of his brother, Jack;
  he graduated from Staunton Military Academy and went on to receive
  both his bachelor's degree and his law degree from the University of
  Virginia; a talented diver, he won the Virginia title for low-board
  diving and the Amateur Athletic Union state championship for
  high-board diving; in 1953, he joined the U.S. Army; and
         WHEREAS, Mr. Edwards moved to Texas to embark on his legal
  career, joining the firm of Baker Botts in Houston; shortly
  thereafter, he relocated to Corpus Christi and eventually opened
  his own personal injury practice, The Edwards Law Firm; he was
  active in a number of statewide professional organizations and
  served as president of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association in 1968,
  on the board of governors for the Association of Trial Lawyers of
  America, and as a Fellow of the International Academy of Trial
  Lawyers; in the course of his service to his community and state, he
  advocated to change the law in Texas for people receiving
  compensation; and
         WHEREAS, In his leisure time, Mr. Edwards was an avid
  fisherman and also enjoyed hunting, gardening, ranching, and
  playing handball; while he was committed to "what was right," he
  never failed to enjoy the luxuries of life and also appreciated
  Texas' nature; and
         WHEREAS, Although he will be deeply missed, the passage of
  time will never diminish the joy and love that Bill Edwards brought
  into the lives of all who knew him; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
  Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of William Ryle
  Edwards Jr. and extend heartfelt condolences to the members of his
  family: to his wife, Sally Lander; to his children, Terry Baiamonte
  and her husband, Rob, Margaret "Libby" Edwards Pender and her
  husband, Frank, William R. "Billy" Edwards III and his wife, Paula,
  and Dr. Margaret Lander Rising; to his grandchildren, Lander Beck
  Baiamonte, Benjamin Scott Baiamonte and his wife, Caroline, Stewart
  Randall Mann and his wife, Carrie, William Price Salem, William R.
  "Ryle" Edwards IV, John A. "Alex" Edwards, Jack Edwards Rising, and
  Linn Edwards Rising; to his great-grandchildren, Conlee Stewart
  Mann and Everett Ames Mann; and to his many 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 House of
  Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Bill
  Edwards.