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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Memories of a life filled with joyful times and |
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meaningful accomplishments remain to comfort the family and friends |
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of William Albert Swinney Sr., who passed away on April 20, 2023, at |
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the age of 99; and |
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WHEREAS, The son of James R. Swinney and Bessie Garner |
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Swinney, Bill Swinney was born in Rogers on July 8, 1923, and grew |
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up with a younger brother, Robert, and sister, Garnett; during the |
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Great Depression, the family moved frequently between ranches and |
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small towns in Central Texas and Mississippi, and as the oldest |
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child, Mr. Swinney took on enormous responsibility; nevertheless, |
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he graduated as president of his high school class; during World |
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War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps as soon as he was of |
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age, and he served as a waist gunner on a B-24 Liberator bomber in |
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the Pacific Theater; he went on to attend the University of |
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Mississippi and studied law in Texas before embarking on an |
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entrepreneurial path; after decades as a general contractor, he |
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focused on land development and real estate; not a believer in |
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retirement, he worked as long as he was able; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1948, he married the former Marjorie June |
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Gustafson, and they were blessed with six children; he encouraged |
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them to share his enthusiasm for fitness by creating an extensive |
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backyard playground on the family's seven-acre lot in San Antonio; |
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the family also enjoyed water sports at their vacation house on Lake |
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LBJ; on April 14, 1990, Mr. Swinney wed Brenda Kennedy, who |
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inspired him to read his Bible and become active in church again; in |
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addition, they supported scholarships for students at a Christian |
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school near their home; together, they adopted his |
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great-grandchild, Scarlett; Mr. Swinney loved to hear his wife play |
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hymns and marches on the piano and organ; an inspiration to others, |
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the couple was profiled in the April 2023 edition of the Billy |
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Graham Evangelistic Association's Decision Magazine; and |
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WHEREAS, Although Bill Swinney is deeply missed, he leaves |
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behind a legacy of devotion to his family, his faith, and his |
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country that his loved ones can remember with pride; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of William Albert |
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Swinney Sr. and extend sincere condolences to the members of his |
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family: to his wife, Brenda Swinney; to his children, William A. |
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"Chip" Swinney Jr. and his wife, Phyllis, David Bruce Swinney, |
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Scott Swinney and his wife, Patty, Brett James Swinney and his wife, |
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Debbie, Karla Swinney Keahey and her husband, Robert, Kathleen |
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Swinney Parker and her husband, Brad, and Scarlett Lee Parker |
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Swinney; to his stepchildren, Jeff Kennedy and his wife, Brittney, |
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and Scott Kennedy and his wife, Karen; to his 22 grandchildren and |
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13 great-grandchildren; and to his many other relatives and |
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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 William |
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Albert Swinney Sr. |