SR1321 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1321 LRB100 18108 MST 33302 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Bennett James Williams of Litchfield, who passed away on January 20, 2018; and

WHEREAS, Bennett Williams was born in Harrisburg to Thomas and Marie (Maynard) Williams on February 13, 1925; he served as a Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1943 to 1945 during World War II; he spent 16 months overseas and participated in air strikes in the Pacific Theater at the Solomon Islands, Bougainville, New Hebrides, and Samar; he was honorably discharged on November 16, 1945; he married Evanell Meler on April 2, 1946 and his family moved to Litchfield in 1955; and

WHEREAS, Bennett Williams was a lifelong coal miner; he worked at the Crown I Mine in Farmersville until it closed in 1971, and then went on to work at the Coffeen Mine until its closing in 1983; he was very active in the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) for over 70 years, where he held offices and was most recently president of the political action committee, Compac; and

WHEREAS, Bennett Williams was very active in Democratic politics and assisted, chaired, co-chaired, and supported many political campaigns; he joined the American Legion in 1945, where he served as commander, county commander, and vice commander finance officer, and was recently awarded a certificate for 70 years of continuous service; he was also a member of the Color Guard of Post #436, 40 et 8, VFW Post #3912, and the Prairieland Leathernecks; and

WHEREAS, Bennett Williams was an alderman for the City of Litchfield for 16 years from 1967 to 1983; he was mayor pro-tem for six months and chairman of the fire and lake departments; he was a member of the Economic Development Council for over 30 years and was an emeritus member; he also served as president of the Litchfield Red Cross Chapter for 10 years and coordinated blood drives with his wife; and

WHEREAS, Bennett Williams was an avid outdoorsman and traveled all over the U.S. and Canada to hunt, fish, white water raft, and ski; he loved working on his garden, growing vegetables and flowers, and took great pride in his home and landscape; he was a member of the St. Timothy United Methodist Church, Litchfield Moose Lodge #1634, and Disabled American Veterans; and

WHEREAS, Bennett Williams was preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 63 years, Evanell; and

WHEREAS, Bennett Williams is survived by his daughter, Sandra Klein; his son, James Gregory (Susan) Williams; his grandchildren, Benjamin Colt Fletcher and Haley Marie Williams; his great-grandson, Thomas James Abner; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Bennett James Williams, 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 Bennett Williams as an expression of our deepest sympathy.