Bill Text: MS SC537 | 2017 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Extend sympathy to the bereaved family of Colonel William Eugene Berry, U.S. Army (Retired) who passed away on October 18, 2016.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2017-02-02 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC537 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2017-SC537-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2017 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Caughman, Barnett, Clarke, DeBar, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Parker, Simmons (12th)
Senate Concurrent Resolution 537
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY OF THE MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE TO THE BEREAVED FAMILY OF VIETNAM WAR VETERAN, OFFICER AND BRAXTON CIVIC LEADER COLONEL WILLIAM EUGENE BERRY, UNITED STATES ARMY (RETIRED).
WHEREAS, Colonel William E. "Billy" Berry, United States Army (Retired), 88, passed away at his home in Braxton on October 18, 2016; and
WHEREAS, Billy was an extraordinary man, and a Southern Gentleman, who had a heartfelt talent for making anyone he spoke with feel special. We're blessed to have learned so many valuable lessons from him. Through his attention, kindness and generosity, he brought out the best in all of us. Billy lived a most productive and exemplary life. He was born in Braxton, Mississippi, on September 6, 1928, the only son of Marvin E. Berry and Alma Harper Berry. He graduated from Braxton High School in 1946; and
WHEREAS, Billy went to the University of Mississippi, and received his Master's Degree in Business at American University. At Ole Miss, Billy became a member of the Army ROTC program earning his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant upon graduation. He also became a member, and later President, of the Delta Psi Chapter of Alpha Tau Omega National Fraternity. Billy loved ATO and ATO loved him. He was named a Delta Psi Outstanding Pledge and served as the Chapter's Treasurer and President. He won the Province X Thomas Arkle Clark Award and went on to be named the 1952 National Fraternity TAC Honoree. He served as Chief of Province XIX, 1960-1964; National Fraternity Treasurer, 1966-1968; Chairman of the Fraternity's Leadership Conference, 1967-1968; and Washington, D.C., ATO Alumni Association President, 1969-1970. Billy became the 30th National President of ATO in 1975 and dutifully continued to recruit many outstanding young men into the ATO family. After serving as National President, Billy joined the ATO Foundation Board of Governors and the Delta Psi Board of Trustees. In 1987 he was honored with the National President Award; and
WHEREAS, Billy began his full-time Army career in 1952. Through the 1950s, Billy served as an Infantry Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer and Company Commander in Japan, Germany and the United States. Colonel Berry later became the Assistant Adjutant General in the Pentagon with additional duties as a White House Aide. On occasion, Billy was the Army Officer standing behind President Kennedy in an official diplomatic receiving line providing guest and other information to the President. He was also at Mrs. Kennedy's side as she welcomed foreign dignitaries to the White House on the day of President Kennedy's funeral; and
WHEREAS, Colonel Berry went on to serve as Advisor to the Adjutant General in Vietnam, Senior Advisor and Consultant to the Republic of Vietnam, Armed Forces Adjutant General, Joint General Staff, Saigon and concurrently Chief of the Adjutant General Advisory Branch, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam; and Deputy Adjutant General, U.S. Army Pacific Headquarters in Hawaii. In 1974 Billy was named Deputy Commandant, U.S. Army Institute of Administration, Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana; and
WHEREAS, within the Braxton Community, Billy freely gave of his time, experiences and resources to help the needy and the underprivileged. He loved his church, Braxton United Methodist, where his grandfather was a founding member, and he often taught Sunday School classes and Bible study. He became a pivotal figure in Braxton, a place he dearly loved; and
WHEREAS, our loss is deep for a man who made us all feel like brothers, sisters, sons and daughters. He was predeceased by his parents, Marvin E. Berry and Alma Harper Berry, and is survived by several close cousins, innumerable friends, and thousands of ATO fraternity brothers, all of whom loved and admired him greatly; and
WHEREAS, Colonel Berry's legacy is a strong and free America and for this and for a lifetime of selfless service and enormous civic energy, a grateful State of Mississippi thanks him:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby extend the deepest sympathy of the Mississippi Legislature to the bereaved family of Vietnam War Veteran, Officer and Braxton Civic Leader Colonel William Eugene Berry, United State Army (Retired).
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Colonel Berry, forwarded to the Mississippi Department of Veterans Affairs, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
