Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of SR0478

SR0478 LRB104 15909 MST 29138 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Larry R. Willis of Havana, who passed away at on October 9, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Larry Willis was born in Poplar Bluff, Missouri to Wayne and Pauline (Jones) Willis on June 15, 1949; he served in the U.S. Air Force from 1967 to 1971; he married Phyllis Silberberg in Belleville on January 19, 1973; and

WHEREAS, Larry Willis was one of the first employees at the Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery, where he worked until retiring in 2010; and

WHEREAS, Larry Willis enjoyed spending time outdoors, whether he was fishing, gardening, or watching the wildlife around him; he was an avid bird watcher and enjoyed doing the monthly bird count at the Emiquon Nature Preserve; he also enjoyed watching his granddaughters participate in their sporting events, musical performances, and theater productions; he was a lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals; and

WHEREAS, Larry Willis was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Roberta; and

WHEREAS, Larry Willis is survived by his wife, Phyllis; his children, Noah (Ashley) Willis and Rachel (Ryan) Bieneman; and his grandchildren, Ava, Maya, and Eliza Bieneman and Norah and Naomi Willis; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Larry R. Willis and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

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