House Concurrent Resolution 66

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMENDING THE LIVES OF COLONEL JOHN E. TILTON, JR., LIEUTENANT COLONEL ANTHONY D. WILLIAMS AND CAPTAIN WILLIAM C. YOUNG, JR., MEMBERS OF THE CIVIL AIR PATROL, AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS UPON THEIR PASSING.

WHEREAS, Colonel John E. Tilton, Jr., Lieutenant Colonel Anthony D. Williams and Captain William C. Young, Jr., departed this life on November 13, 2012, to enter into eternal rest with their heavenly father, rendering great sorrow and loss to their families and friends; and

WHEREAS, all members of the Civil Air Patrol who served their country and state with the highest standards of honor, distinction and self-sacrifice, Colonel Tilton, Lieutenant Colonel Williams and Captain Young lived their lives as men of increased morals, integrity and character who went above and beyond the call of duty to bravely answer the appeal to help those in need through disaster relief and search and rescue missions for the State of Mississippi and the United States Air Force; and

WHEREAS, the impact on the lives of those they touched in the extension of their lives' journeys upon this earth, was evidenced by their comrades and colleagues throughout the state and the country; and

WHEREAS, John Edward Tilton, Jr., born into a family legacy of military service, attended Georgia Military Academy and The Citadel before completing his degree at Georgia State University in 1970, and subsequently enlisting into the United States Army that same year and spent over 20 years serving his country as a pilot and officer, both in the active Army and the Army Reserves, before retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel; and

WHEREAS, Colonel Tilton received over a dozen decorations and service badges, including the coveted Bronze Star Award and the Master Aviator Badge, and after an illustrious career in the military, he turned his service to his community through the Civil Air Patrol, where he held the rank of Colonel and served in a variety of leadership roles including Alabama Wing Commander, Southeast Region Commander, National Safety Officer and a member of the Board of Governors; and

WHEREAS, a certified flight instructor and a corporate pilot, John's exceptional skills as a pilot and a teacher were well known to colleagues and family, who were often heard to say, "If it flies, John can fly it." as evidenced by his piloting gliders, helicopters, prop planes, jets, float planes and hot air balloons, and his accumulation of more than 18,000 flight hours over the course of his military and private careers; and

WHEREAS, in 2007, John met his soul mate, Becky, and after their marriage in 2008, devoted himself to their life together and love for one another in the carrying out of his life as a positive, patient, and uplifting spirit; and

WHEREAS, Colonel Tilton is survived by his beloved wife, Becky; daughters, Allison Gale Tilton Clark and Natalie Anne Tilton Lloyd; son, John Edward Tilton, III; stepdaughter, Larissa Greer Brand Hughes; stepson, Gregory Joseph Brand, II; grandchildren, Layne and Shelby Clark, Niko Lloyd, Ava Greer, Layla Westyn Hughes and Tabatha Baum; sister, Connie Bryant; and a host of other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, Anthony "David" Williams, was born in Laurel, Mississippi, to the late H.F. and Annelle Williams on January 18, 1943, graduated from Ellisville High School in 1961, received a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from Mississippi State University in 1965 and graduated from United States Air Force Pilot Training in 1966; and

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel Williams, who was well-regarded as a leader who deeply cared for both his employees and customers, worked full time for 38 years for Mississippi Power Company in various engineering and executive roles until he retired in 2004; and

WHEREAS, the recipient of many corporate awards for his district's exemplary level of customer service, David served part time as an officer in the Mississippi Air National Guard in Meridian from 1966 to 1975, where he piloted both RF-84 and RF-101 fighter jets before he transferred to the Air Force Reserve at Kessler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi, in 1975, where he flew the WC-130 aircraft as a Hurricane Hunter until his retirement as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1991; and

WHEREAS, he served an active role in the United States Civil Air Patrol as a former Squadron Commander of the Singing River Squadron and most recently served as a certified FAA flight instructor and Chief of Standardization/Evaluation for the Mississippi Wing; and

WHEREAS, David was a past President of the Mississippi Industrial Development Council, Forrest County Industrial Development Council, Forrest County Industrial Park Commission, Hattiesburg Rotary Club, Meridian Jaycees and Ocean Springs Optimist Club, in addition to his service as a Deacon at Temple Baptist Church in Hattiesburg and First Baptist Church in Gulfport, Mississippi, and was a most active member and Sunday School teacher at Colonial Heights Baptist Church in Ridgeland, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel Williams is survived by his wife of 46 years and the love of his life, Carol; daughter, Gina Williams Boykin; son, Chad David Williams; five grandchildren, Reed, Catherine and John David Williams and Lauren and Claire Boykin; sister, Jan Taylor; and a host of other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, William Clayton "W.C." Young, Jr., born in Ashville, North Carolina, the middle child of five, whose love for people touched countless lives; and

WHEREAS, soon after marrying his beloved wife, Anne, Captain Young served in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany before returning stateside and declaring residence in Virginia until 1998; and

WHEREAS, a dedicated employee of Virginia Electric Power Company (now Dominion Resources) for 36 years, Captain Young was appreciated by many and his absence did not go unnoticed once he retired and relocated to Madison, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, once in Mississippi, his love for people and cars was quickly identified and he was asked to serve as President of the Macedonian Call Foundation of Mississippi, which provides cars for International Mission Board missionaries while they are home on furlough; and

WHEREAS, one who enjoyed flying for many years, logging thousands of hours and also teaching many students as an instructor, Captain Young took again to the skies on a regular basis with the Civil Air Patrol after Anne's passing in 2010; and

WHEREAS, selfless in every respect of service, he was always helping and encouraging others and constantly considered other's needs before his own; and

WHEREAS, active in Colonial Heights Baptist Church, where he served in many roles, including new church development, deacon body, pastor search committees, finance committees, director of his Life Group department, and his favorite role, as Sunday morning greeter; and

WHEREAS, preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Anne Stublen Young, Captain Young is survived by: daughter, Debbie Thigpen; son, Greg Young; twelve grandchildren, Gregory, Garrett, Timothy, Matthew, Sarah, Jacob, John, Julia, Joshua and Grace Young and Jason and Clayton Thigpen; great-granddaughter, June; brother, Carol Young; sister, Betty Harper; and a host of other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, these faithful servants of Christ lived life to emanate the grace that had been bestowed upon them, and they lived by the Gospel as recorded in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me."; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to commend the lives of outstanding individuals, such as Colonel John E. Tilton, Jr., Lieutenant Colonel Anthony D. Williams and Captain William C. Young, Jr., whose lives have a lasting effect on the lives of those touched by each of them:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the lives of Colonel John E. Tilton, Jr., Lieutenant Colonel Anthony D. Williams and Captain William C. Young, Jr., and express deepest sympathy to their families and friends upon their passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the families of Colonel John E. Tilton, Jr., Lieutenant Colonel Anthony D. Williams, Captain William C. Young, Jr., and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.