Bill Text: IL SR1066 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the passing of Martin Luther Bray III of Canton.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)

Status: (Passed) 2024-11-13 - Resolution Adopted [SR1066 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-SR1066-Introduced.html

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SR1066 LRB103 41131 LAW 74348 r
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
to learn of the death of Martin Luther Bray III of Canton, who
passed away on June 8, 2024; and
WHEREAS, Martin Bray, the son of Martin L. Bray Jr. and
Ethel Dixon Bray, was born in Washington, D.C. on February 3,
1938; he was raised in Vienna, Virginia; he graduated from
Fairfax High School in Fairfax, Virginia in 1956; he served in
the U.S. Army in Berlin, Germany during the Cold War for three
years; he then moved to California, where he earned a Bachelor
of Science in Electronic Engineering from Pacific States
University in Los Angeles and a Bachelor of Science in
Computer Science from West Coast University in Orange County;
he married Janet D. Harris in Duarte, California on August 26,
1961; and
WHEREAS, Martin Bray worked as a design engineer in the
aerospace industry; he moved with his family to Wataga,
Illinois to start a business in 1974; he then worked as an
electronic engineer for Caterpillar Inc. in East Peoria for
eight years and at Sommer Products in Bartonville for 18
years; and
WHEREAS, Martin Bray pursued his dream of living and

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working on a farm when he purchased one in Missouri as a
weekend hobby; he then purchased a farm closer to his day job
in rural Smithfield in 1988, and he continued to farm until his
passing; and
WHEREAS, Martin Bray served his community as a member of
the Fulton County Farm Bureau, the Institute of Electrical and
Electronic Engineers, and the Wataga Village Board; he was
also a member of the Shirt and Skirt Square Dance Club of
Canton; he was a devoted member of Fiatt Independent Christian
Church, where he served on the Finance Committee; and
WHEREAS, Martin Bray enjoyed working on the farm, riding
his bicycle, reading, and spending time with his family; and
WHEREAS, Martin Bray was preceded in death by his parents;
and
WHEREAS, Martin Bray is survived by his wife, Janet Bray;
his sisters, Jean (Guy) Southers, Helain (Kevin) Steele,
Mildred (Andy) Blake, and Shirley Bray; his daughters, Karen
(Trent) Tucker and Deanna (Brett) Chatterton; his
grandchildren, Jason (Lauren) Chatterton, Joshua (Margaret)
Chatterton, Brittany (Nathaniel) Roberts, Alexander Tucker,
Josiah (Hannah) Chatterton, Bailey (Daniel) Taflinger, Brenna
Chatterton, AnnaMary Chatterton, and Hadassah Chatterton; and

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eight great-grandchildren; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
Martin Luther Bray III and extend our sincere condolences to
his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
further