SR0075 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0075 LRB102 11755 LAW 17090 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Joe Layne Whitley, who passed away on January 23, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Joe Whitley was born in Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee to Orel and Bessie (Compton) Whitley on November 23, 1930; he graduated from Red Boiling Springs High School in 1947; he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, where he was the youngest master sergeant in the Far East, participated in three major operations, and received the Purple Heart; he married Patricia "Pat" on February 23, 1953, and he welcomed Pat's three children, Kathy, Danny, and Carla into his heart; together, they had a son, Terry; and

WHEREAS, Joe Whitley, for a time, worked at IH Farmall in Rock Island in the evenings and as a rural postal carrier in the daytime; he moved his family to a 54-acre horse ranch, called the Flying W, located east of Andalusia in 1964; and

WHEREAS, Joe Whitley belonged to several organizations, including the Purple Heart Club, the Rock Island V.F.W. Post 1303, the Reynolds American Legion Post 1166, the Andalusia Township Board of Trustees, the Rural Letter Carriers, and the National Association of Letter Carriers, where he served as a board member; he was a founding member and an officer of the Blackhawk Rodeo Association, where he served as a barrel clown during the bull riding competition; he was also a member of the German Shepherd Dog Club of the Quad Cities and raised German Shepherds; and

WHEREAS, Joe Whitley was known as outgoing, gregarious, and someone able to strike up a conversation wherever he went; he enjoyed playing golf, riding his motorcycle, spending time at Jumer's Casino, and traveling with Pat and their friends; he also enjoyed flat track motorcycle racing, where he achieved national ranking as an amateur; he kept a large garden and supplied neighbors and relatives with sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, and other goodies; he kept active at home and mowed several acres every week; he participated in an honor flight to Washington, D.C.; and

WHEREAS, Joe Whitley was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Darrell; and his wife, Patricia; and

WHEREAS, Joe Layne Whitley is survived by his children, Kathy (John) Cervantes, Daniel (JoAnne) Whitley, Carla (Jack) Martens, and Terry Whitley; his brother, Billy (Carolyn) Whitley; his 12 grandchildren; and his many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Joe Layne Whitley and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

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