Bill Text: IL HR0752 | 2009-2010 | 96th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Ray Allen Watkins of Aurora.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Passed) 2010-01-12 - Resolution Adopted [HR0752 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2009-HR0752-Introduced.html

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HR0752 LRB096 15553 GRL 30784 r
HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Ray Allen
Watkins of Aurora, who passed away on October 26, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Ray Watkins was born on April 6, 1925, in
Danville; his parents were Harry and India Watkins; he married
Jo Ann Beyer on February 20, 1948, in Danville; and
WHEREAS, Ray Watkins was a graduate of Danville High
School; after high school, he joined the United States Navy,
serving with the Navy Seabees in the South Pacific theater
during World War II; and
WHEREAS, Ray Watkins earned a degree in engineering from
the Rose Polytechnical Institute in Terre Haute, Indiana; and
WHEREAS, In 1953, Ray Watkins and his family moved to
Aurora, where he took a job with Pines Engineering as a
mechanical design engineer; he later took a job with Western
Electric in Montgomery, then transferred to AT&T in Lisle,
where he remained until his retirement in 1990; he also served
as a part-time drafting instructor at Aurora College and
Waubonsee Community College; and

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WHEREAS, Ray Watkins committed his life to Christ in his
early twenties and led a life of giving and volunteer work; he
served as a tutor for the Joliet and Channahon school districts
and Waubonsee Community College's adult and family program; he
worked with the God's Gym program at First Presbyterian Church
and was a Helping Hand at the Dreyer Medical Clinic; he was a
long-time member of Gideons International; he was also very
active at his church, where he served on various boards, sang
in the choir, and taught numerous Sunday School classes; and
WHEREAS, Ray Watkins is survived by his wife of 61 years,
Jo Ann; his children and their spouses, Warren and Cheri
Watkins, Ede and Mike Huff, Paul and Lois Watkins, Patty and
John Brewer, Mark and Sharon Watkins, Win and Joe Lombardi,
Chris and Ted Johnson, and Matthew and Nancy Watkins; his
grandchildren, Brad, Kurt, and Angie Watkins, Marty, Rob,
Jenny, Kit, and Peter Gurry, Amanda, Nicole, and Molly Watkins,
Abby, Ben, Audrey, Teddy, Annie, Allie, and Addison Brewer,
Justin, Luke, Clint, and Tyler Watkins, Jim and TJ Lombardi,
Travis, Mitch, and Sean Johnson, and Bryan, Darryl, Melanie,
and Rachel Watkins; and his great-grandchildren, Cole,
Madison, Joslyn, Isabelle, and Noah Drietz, Mia Donald, Tiernan
Roelofs, and Laurel Gurry; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we

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mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Ray
Allen Watkins; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the family of Ray Watkins as an expression of our
sympathy.