SR0161 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0161 LRB102 17644 ECR 23436 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of William "Maine" Henry Chillis Jr., who passed away on March 2, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Maine Chillis was born to William Henry Chillis Sr. and Sadie Price Chillis in Utica, Mississippi on January 24, 1944; he was the first child of eight in his family and the grandson of Jasper and Emma Neal Price; he committed to his faith at an early age and later became a member of Kindling Star M.B. Church in Greenville, Mississippi; during his early education, he attended Greenville Public Schools, where he played football; he married Bessie Mae White in Chicago in 1967; he attended Coyne College where he became certified in the maintenance and repair of appliances; and

WHEREAS, After finishing high school, Maine Chillis immediately entered the workforce by serving as head cook at the Greenville Air Force Base; after receiving his certification, he was employed with the Hutcherson Company, where he worked various jobs; he later became the co-owner of Harrison Bros. Appliances; and

WHEREAS, Maine Chillis will be remembered as a kind man and a great cook; after having spent a great deal of time as a child watching his parents cook, he enjoyed cooking and was often the family advisor for instruction on cooking various dishes; and

WHEREAS, Maine Chillis was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved Bessie Mae; and

WHEREAS, Maine Chillis is survived by his children, Bobby White Jr., David (Linda) White Jr., Wanda Brandt, Efrem (Lorraine) Chillis, Chantella (Byron) Chillis-Jackson, Tiffany Rodrigues, Rashida Greenwood, and Tanisha Smith; his godson, Andre Harris; his 26 grandchildren; his 23 great-grandchildren; his four brothers, James Chillis Sr., Frank Chillis, Jerry Chillis Sr., and Freddie (Brenda) Chillis Sr.; his three sisters, Hannah Chillis, Henrietta Edwards, and Gloria Shanklin; his aunt, Carrie Taylor; his two uncles, Rev. Simon Price and James Flaggs Sr.; and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of William "Maine" Henry Chillis Jr. 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 Maine Chillis as an expression of our deepest sympathy.