SR1279 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1279 LRB101 21814 ECR 72768 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of William "Bill" R. Browning, who passed away on July 5, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Bill Browning was born to Ray James and Verda Browning in Christopher on May 26, 1930; he graduated from Christopher Community High School in 1948; he received his bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 1952, majoring in English and Speech, and received his master's degree from the George Peabody College of Vanderbilt University in Nashville in 1958, majoring in Educational Administration; he married Catherine Venegoni at the First Christian Church in Christopher on January 13, 1951; he also served in the U.S. Army as a Battalion Sergeant Major during the Korean War; and

WHEREAS, In 1954, Bill Browning worked as a classroom teacher for English and Speech and as a coach for the Staunton Community High School district; in 1958, he moved to Springfield where he continued as a teacher and coach at Lanphier High School; in 1965, he was appointed co-director of the Community School Programs for the Springfield school district; from 1967 through 1974, he worked for the Community Development Division of the Illinois Department of Business and Economic Development; in 1974, he moved to the Illinois Department of Personnel's Bureau of Inter-governmental and Manpower Affairs where he was appointed Manager of the Division of Employee Development; he closed his career as a grants administrator for the State Board of Education, where he assisted with training adult employees; after 38 years of community service, he retired in 1989; and

WHEREAS, Bill Browning was a lifetime member of the First Christian Church (FCC) and served as a deacon and elder at FCC in Springfield; he was a member of the American Legion Post #32 and the Illinois Education Association; he was a member, board member, and honorary lifetime member of the Great Lakes Areas Development Council; he served as a member of the Advisory Board for the Basic Industrial Development Course at the University of Illinois; he authored numerous articles and delivered seminars and workshops; he also shared his love of sports by managing Khoury league baseball teams for several years during the summer months; and

WHEREAS, Bill Browning loved golf so much that he and his wife lived on a golf course in Mesa, Arizona for six months out of the year; when he wasn't golfing, he was researching his genealogy; he also liked crossword puzzles, reading, and all sports, particularly the Saint Louis Cardinals; and

WHEREAS, Bill Browning was preceded in death by his parents, Ray James and Verda Browning; his father-in-law, Bert Venegoni; his mother-in-law, Tina Venegoni; his sister-in-law, Jo Byars; and his brothers-in-law, Glenn Byars and Bert Venegoni Jr; and

WHEREAS, Bill Browning is survived by his wife, Catherine; his daughter, Kari R. Tomei (Bruce); his son, William R. Browning Jr. (Georgina); his grandchildren, Jenna, Kevin, and Marissa Jenkins (Tomei) and Kierra and Tianna Browning; his sister-in-law, Gracie Venegoni; and his several nieces, nephews, and cousins; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of William "Bill" R. Browning 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 Browning as an expression of our deepest sympathy.