SR0725 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0725 LRB093 23823 CSA 53861 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, William "Bill" Sayles Wake passed away on July 24, 2004 at his home; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Wake was born May 16, 1926 in Galesburg; he graduated from Galesburg High School in 1943; he enlisted in the Navy and was stationed at Berea College in Berea, Kentucky; toward the end of the war, he was transferred to the University of Michigan, where he earned his MBA degree and met his first wife, the late Barbara (Bobbie) Wake; they were married on September 4, 1948 in New York; and

WHEREAS, They moved to Elgin and he began his career with Aurora Eby-Brown; he and a partner bought Eby-Brown in 1957, and he moved to Aurora to manage the facility; in 1983, he sold the company to two of his sons, but he remained chairman; he and Bobbie moved to Geneva in 1993; shortly thereafter, she was diagnosed with cancer, which the couple jointly battled on and off until her death in 1999; in 2000, he married Elinor Nuyen of Aurora, whom he met through their mutual involvement with the Association for Individual Development, which provides services for individuals with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, He received numerous civic and industry awards; he served as a board member of Merchants National Bank for several years; he was deeply involved with Easter Seals and other organizations serving those with disabilities for most of his adult life; he was actively involved with various clubs and organizations; he also enjoyed filming and participating in the numerous Canadian fishing trips he took with his friends; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Mr. Wake will be felt by all who knew and loved him, especially his wife, Elinor; his two stepchildren, Carey J. Nuyen and Jonathan B. (Marcela) Nuyen; his six children; and his grandchildren, Doug (Susan Gomez) Wake, Esther and Anne Gomez, Dick (Karen) Wake, Stevie, Sam, and Alex Wake, Suse (Brian) Fitzpatrick, Lindsay, Bill and Drew Karich, and Jarrett Fitzpatrick, Tom Wake, Tim Willie, and Sean Wake, Mag (Jim) Bussey, Maggie (Steve) Fohn, Katie, Dan and Emily Fohn, and Jennie Wake; and

WHEREAS, He is also survived by his niece, Judy (Dick) Hendricks, and his nephews, Terry (Barb) Shirrod and Bob (Kathy) Wake; he was preceded in death by his parents, Flossie and William S. Wake; his sister, Barbara Shirrod; and his brother, Tadd Wake; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of William "Bill" Sayles Wake and extend our sincerest condolences to his family and friends; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Mr. Wake as an expression of our deepest sympathy.