Full Text of SR0734 101st General Assembly
SR0734 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY |
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| 1 | | SENATE RESOLUTION
| 2 | | WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to | 3 | | learn of the death of William John "Bill" Harris, who passed | 4 | | away on January 21, 2019 at the age of 63; and
| 5 | | WHEREAS, William Harris graduated from Oak Park and River | 6 | | Forest High School in 1973; during his youth, he was active in | 7 | | the Boy Scout program and earned the Rank of Eagle Scout while | 8 | | a member of Troop 8 in Oak Park; he also participated in a Drum | 9 | | and Bugle Corps; and
| 10 | | WHEREAS, William Harris received training in the heating | 11 | | and air conditioning field and was later employed by the | 12 | | Overhead Garage Door Company for more than 20 years; and
| 13 | | WHEREAS, William Harris was a supportive and loving father, | 14 | | even during difficult times, including when his son Joshua | 15 | | asked his permission to enlist in the Illinois National Guard; | 16 | | he admitted it was a difficult decision, but after the initial | 17 | | shock wore off, he supported his son; he later became an active | 18 | | and dedicated participant in the Gold Star Families Program and | 19 | | thoroughly enjoyed his time working with them; he became | 20 | | involved when his son, Sergeant Joshua Harris of the 2nd | 21 | | Battalion, 122nd Field Artillery Regiment, was killed in action | 22 | | with four others in Afghanistan on September 17, 2008; and
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| 1 | | WHEREAS, William Harris was also involved with the | 2 | | Brookfield VFW Post, which was renamed the Joshua Harris | 3 | | Brookfield Memorial Post #2868 in remembrance of his son; the | 4 | | Harris family, led by daughter Kalyn, also passed on the | 5 | | importance of Memorial Day when they helped arrange a special | 6 | | presentation by then-Governor Pat Quinn at Congress Park | 7 | | Elementary School, where Joshua's younger sister attended | 8 | | school; students, faculty, and staff at the school remember and | 9 | | "will forever treasure the many memories he brought to many of | 10 | | us"; and
| 11 | | WHEREAS, William Harris volunteered at Hines VA Hospital; | 12 | | one of his last projects was to create large Christmas cutouts | 13 | | for the Village of Brookfield; he was willing to give his time | 14 | | to his family, friends, and any others who might have needed | 15 | | help; and
| 16 | | WHEREAS, Despite an extended illness, William Harris had a | 17 | | big smile, was a positive thinker, and had a marvelous sense of | 18 | | humor; he was loved by all who met him; and
| 19 | | WHEREAS, William Harris was a former member of Judson | 20 | | Baptist Church in Oak Park and St. John Lutheran Church in | 21 | | Forest Park, as well as a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in | 22 | | Burr Ridge; and
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| 1 | | WHEREAS, William Harris was preceded in death by his | 2 | | father, William A. Harris, and his son, Sergeant Joshua Harris; | 3 | | and
| 4 | | WHEREAS, William Harris is survived by his wife, Jean G. | 5 | | Harris; his daughters, Kristin Dutra and Kalyn Harris; his | 6 | | grandchildren, Tyler and Breana; his mother, Virginia C. | 7 | | Harris; and his sisters, Sandra (Edward) Qintrall and Gail, | 8 | | Susan, and Mary (John) Raad; therefore, be it
| 9 | | RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL | 10 | | ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of | 11 | | William John "Bill" Harris and extend our sincere condolences | 12 | | to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be | 13 | | it further
| 14 | | RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be | 15 | | presented to the family of William Harris as an expression of | 16 | | our deepest sympathy.
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