SR1199 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1199 LRB099 15395 GRL 39666 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Walter William "Walt" Bittner of Normal, who passed away on October 28, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Walter Bittner was born on November 12, 1917 in Springfield, Massachusetts; his parents were William and Helene Bittner; he married Irene Crutcher Bittner on May 17, 1941; and

WHEREAS, Walter Bittner was the owner and operator of Bittner's Confectionary at Washington Street and Morris Avenue in Bloomington from 1938 to 1953; after selling the business, he began working at the National Bank of Bloomington, where he rose through the ranks from teller to vice president; he later worked for the Illinois Secretary of State Corporations Department and the driver's license facility in Bloomington; and

WHEREAS, Walter Bittner's 44-year career in politics began in 1953; among the customers of his confectionary were members of the Bloomington City Council, who regularly gathered for hamburgers after Council meetings; because he often questioned their decisions, an alderman challenged him to run for a seat; upon being elected to the position in 1953, he served on the Council for 4 terms until being elected as Mayor in 1969; as Mayor, he was most proud of his deciding vote to keep Miller Park Zoo open; he retired from the Mayor's Office in 1977, but was asked to fill a Council vacancy less than a year later; he subsequently served another 20 years on the Council; and

WHEREAS, In 1998, Walter Bittner and his wife asked the City to find a community use for their home at 504 West Washington Street; the property became Mayors Manor, which provides transitional housing for formerly homeless people; in 2004, the City named a new park on Towanda-Barnes Road after him in honor of his accomplishments; and

WHEREAS, Walter Bittner was a founding member of the McLean County Antique Automobile Club in 1963 and owned well over 100 antique cars during his adult life; he served on the planning committee of the Illinois Secretary of State's Antique Automobile and Sports Car Meet for 60 years, beginning with its first event in 1949; he was also a member of the Cross Pointe Church of God's Anderson, Indiana affiliate and held numerous committee positions and memberships throughout his community; and

WHEREAS, Walter Bittner was preceded in death by his wife, Irene; his parents; and his sister, Louise Giesecke; and

WHEREAS, Walter Bittner is survived by his children, Rick (Noni) Bittner, Pam (Dave) Merrill, Jim (Marsha) Bittner, and Lisa (Mark) Burnett Butzow; his 10 grandchildren; his 13 great-grandchildren; and his great-great-grandchild; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his family and friends, mourn the passing of Walter William "Walt" Bittner; and be it further

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