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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3to learn of the death of William Paul "Bill" Colson, longtime
4Chicago area resident, recently of St. James City, Pine
5Island, Florida, who passed away on January 21, 2022; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Bill Colson was born on September 15, 1937; he
7was raised in Evergreen Park and attended Evergreen Park
8Public Grammar School; he graduated from Leo High School in
91955, John Carroll University in 1959, and Northwestern
10University School of Law in 1962, where he was editor of the
11Law Review and a member of the prestigious Order of the Coif;
12he served as an officer in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate
13General's Corps; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Bill Colson dedicated his professional life to
15the pursuit of law, politics, and entrepreneurial endeavors;
16he was legal counsel and co-owner of a production company that
17produced concerts in the 1970s, showcasing such acts as
18Michael Jackson and the Jackson Family, Ike and Tina Turner,
19and Ray Charles; he founded the law firm Hynes, Colson, and
20Karnezis with his friends and colleagues the Honorable Thomas
21Hynes, Robert Hynes, and the Honorable Themis Karnezis; he
22joined the law firm Finkel and Martwick, which continues as
23Finkel, Martwick & Colson today; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Bill Colson served as the South Side campaign
2manager with Thomas Hynes for Richard J. Daley for mayor in
31967; he was the statewide campaign director for Paul Simon
4for lieutenant governor in 1968; he managed multiyear
5campaigns for Thomas Hynes' run for Illinois Senate, Cook
6County Assessor, and Chicago Mayor; he also managed multiyear
7campaigns for Thomas Tully for Cook County Assessor and Neil
8Hartigan for Illinois Attorney General; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Bill Colson was the past president of the South
10Suburban Bar; he served as the attorney of Oak Lawn Village for
11multiple years; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Bill Colson was a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, an
13avid fisherman, and a golfer dedicated to lowering his
14handicap; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Bill Colson was truly respected by all who knew
16him; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Bill Colson was preceded in death by his parents,
18Paul and Eileen (Scott) Colson, and his former wife, Lenore T.
19Colson; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Bill Colson is survived by his children, Candace

 

 

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1(Donald) Mitchell, Leah (Patrick) Carney, Paul (Stephanie),
2and Brian (Teresa); his grandchildren, Kate Mitchell, Matthew
3Mitchell, Michael Mitchell, Brianna Carney, Patrick Carney
4Jr., Sophia Colson, Olivia Colson, Jack Colson, Finn Colson,
5Madelyn Colson, and Grace Colson; his spirited dog, Sebastian;
6his younger sisters, Judi Ross and Kathi (Bob) Mele; his
7sister-in-law, Ann Kearney; his many Scott cousins, nieces,
8and nephews; his many loyal friends; his dear friend, Jane
9Lavelle; his trusted right hand for decades, Zoe Swanson; and
10his companion, Meredith "Deanie" Peper; therefore, be it
 
11    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL
12ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
13William Paul "Bill" Colson and extend our sincere condolences
14to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be
15it further
 
16    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
17presented to the family of Bill Colson as an expression of our
18deepest sympathy.