Bill Text: IL SR0935 | 2017-2018 | 100th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Benjamin Watts of Champaign.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2017-10-25 - Resolution Adopted [SR0935 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2017-SR0935-Introduced.html

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SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
learn of the death of Benjamin Hooker Watts of Champaign, who
passed away on September 19, 2017; and
WHEREAS, Benjamin Watts was born in Urbana to Robert Allan
and Emily Stipes Watts on March 1, 1962; he graduated from
Champaign Central High School and Dartmouth College; he played
football for both schools; he later graduated from the
University of Michigan School of Law; he married Judith Diane
Argentieri on October 25, 1997; and
WHEREAS, Benjamin Watts began practicing law with Gardner
Carton & Douglas in Chicago; he then returned to Champaign and
joined Stipes Publishing, where he was a partner in the
publishing business; and
WHEREAS, Benjamin Watts was active in the Champaign-Urbana
community and served on the Crisis Nursery Board of Directors
and the Alzheimer's Association of Champaign County Board of
Directors; he was a season ticket holder for Illini sports, as
well as an avid supporter of the University of Illinois
Division of Intercollegiate Athletes and the University of
Illinois Library; he was a member of the University of Illinois
Foundation; he also supported his alma mater, Dartmouth, and

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his fraternity, Beta Theta Pi, where he had served as
president; and
WHEREAS, Benjamin Watts was a devoted husband, father, son,
uncle, cousin, and friend, who spent most of his free time with
his wife and children; he was always present at his children's
activities; he coached his son's Little League teams, including
Peanut, Farm, and Kuhn's in the American League; the Kuhn's
team advanced to the Little League Semi-Finals in 2014; he also
coached several of his children's YMCA and Champaign Park
District basketball teams; he led his daughter's seventh and
eighth grade YMCA team to the league championship in 2013; his
other passion was gardening; and
WHEREAS, Benjamin Watts was preceded in death by his
father; and
WHEREAS, Benjamin Watts is survived by his mother; his
wife, Judith; his daughter, Olivia; his son, Samuel; his
brothers, Edward and Thomas; and his numerous nieces and
nephews; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
Benjamin Hooker Watts, and extend our sincere condolences to
his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it

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further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the family of Benjamin Watts as an expression of
our deepest sympathy.