SR1403 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1403 LRB099 16799 GRL 41146 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of William E. "Night Hawk" Austin, Jr., who passed away on December 23, 2015; and

WHEREAS, William Austin, Jr. was born in DeLand, Florida, to William, Sr. and Margaret A. Austin on November 12, 1950; and

WHEREAS, William Austin, Jr. graduated from high school and entered Bethune-Cookman College; he served in the United States Army with the 173rd Airborne Brigade "The Herd" during the Vietnam War; and

WHEREAS, William Austin, Jr. was preceded in death by his parents; and

WHEREAS, William Austin, Jr. is survived by his devoted wife, Tracy Smith-Austin; his mother-in-law, Betty Smith; his sisters, Bettye (Archie) Gavin and Karen (George) Scruggs; his brother, Wayne (Nora) Austin; his children, Patronda Austin, William Austin, III, Kevin Woody, and Richard Austin; his godson, Mar'Shawn Tyrel McCullum; his 6 grandchildren; his 6 great-grandchildren; his cousins, Ronnie and Timothy Williams; his special friends, Elmer Wright and Juan Garcia; and his many nieces, nephews, and friends; 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 William E. Austin, Jr.; and be it further

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