Bill Text: IL SR1504 | 2017-2018 | 100th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Roy Williams

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2018-03-14 - Resolution Adopted [SR1504 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2017-SR1504-Introduced.html

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SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
learn of the death of Roy Williams, who passed away on February
14, 2018; and
WHEREAS, Roy Williams was born in Pekin on September 23,
1919; he married Jackie Soldwedel in 1942; and
WHEREAS, Roy Williams began working at a young age to help
his family make it through the Great Depression; his first job
was on a rail car in Pekin, flipping the backs of the seats to
face east or west, depending on which way the rail car was
traveling; he then got a job at the Pekin swimming pool, where
he washed towels and worked as the shower boy for the bathers;
all of the money he earned went toward helping his family; and
WHEREAS, Roy Williams found music in high school; he played
the saxophone, and he and his friends formed the band
"Serenaders"; his band performed at the High Hat in Pekin and
at various restaurants and bars throughout Pekin and Peoria;
and
WHEREAS, Roy Williams was best known for his community
service around Pekin; he was the founder of Spruce Up Pekin,
which he ran for 20 years; in 2004, he led the campaign to

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raise money for the Pekin clock tower on Capitol Street; he was
a volunteer at and member of the Miller Center for 19 years,
where he called bingo, participated in writing the newsletter,
and raised money to help fund new programs; and
WHEREAS, Roy Williams was a committee member of the Pekin
Main Street organization, which focused on promoting and
restoring the downtown historical area; he worked with the
Pekin Police Department to aid in the acquisition of their
first K-9 officer; and
WHEREAS, Roy Williams will be remembered for his happy
spirit and love for Pekin, a town he never wanted to leave; he
believed that Pekin had everything a person needed to live a
happy life; and
WHEREAS, Roy Williams was preceded in death by his wife,
Jackie; and
WHEREAS, Roy Williams is survived by his son, Tim Williams;
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
Roy Williams and extend our sincere condolences to his family,
friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

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