SR1412 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1412 LRB100 20651 ALS 36094 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of William Moreland "Bill" Kuhne of Champaign, who passed away on February 2, 2018; and

WHEREAS, Bill Kuhne was born in Urbana to Robert and Elizabeth Cook Kuhne on July 6, 1932; he graduated from University High School in 1948; he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1952; he married Doris Anne "Susie" Blair in Columbus, Ohio on June 15, 1957; and

WHEREAS, Bill Kuhne was a proud third-generation general contractor; he started on his path to success with Jones & Laughlin Steel Company in 1952; he then joined the family construction business, Kuhne Simmons Company in 1956, which eventually led to his leadership role at Petry-Kuhne Company in Champaign; he was quietly proud of the impact the companies and their projects made on the campus of the University of Illinois, around Champaign-Urbana, and throughout Central Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Bill Kuhne was an active member of the Central Illinois Builders, the Association of General Contractors, and the American Institute of Contractors; he served in many leadership roles, including chairing multiple subcommittees and serving in executive committee positions; he also inspired the next generation of contractors by participating on the construction advisory committees at Bradley University and Iowa State University; and

WHEREAS, Bill Kuhne was an active member of the community; he was a lifelong member of the Community Foundation of Champaign County, a past chairman of the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission, a past president of the Champaign Rotary Club, a past president of the Champaign Country Club, a past director of the Champaign Chamber of Commerce, and a past chairman of the City of Champaign Plan Commission; he was elected to the Champaign City Council and during his tenure also held the position of deputy mayor; he was also an active member of St. Peter's United Church of Christ, where he served as an elder and trustee; and

WHEREAS, Bill Kuhne was an avid golfer and held the proud distinction of a hole-in-one at the Champaign Country Club; he and his wife enjoyed many great adventures with the late Fred and Betty Blythe, their good friends; he was a loving and devoted husband, brother, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather; and

WHEREAS, Bill Kuhne was preceded in death by his friends and business partners, Jim Sullivan and Bill Dallenbach; and

WHEREAS, Bill Kuhne is survived by his wife, Susie; his daughters, Nancy (David) Welsh and Karen (Robert) Sibert; his grandchildren, Katharine (Joel) Bonasera, Libby Glass, Laura Sibert, and David Sibert; his great-grandchildren, Quinten and Jane Anne Bonasera; his brother, Christopher (Sandy) Kuhne; his sister-in-law, Caroline Blair Ettinger; and his many cousins, nieces, and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of William Moreland (Bill) Kuhne 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 Bill Kuhne as an expression of our deepest sympathy.