SR2033 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of William James "Bill" Metzger of Collinsville, who passed away on June 17, 2016; and

WHEREAS, William Metzger was born in East St. Louis to William Herman and Gladys Fern (Dugger) Metzger Powell on October 17, 1935; he graduated from Collinsville High School in 1953 and from the Washington University School of Business in 1957, where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and the Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity; he married Lois Welch on August 8, 1959; and

WHEREAS, Following his graduation, William Metzger joined his father at the Concrete Unit Step Company in Collinsville; in 1962, he joined the Travelers Insurance Company in St. Louis, Missouri and was the Manager of the Personal Lines division when he retired; he served as President of the Insurance Company Executives Association in 1984 and was also named Insurance Person of the Year by the Insurance Council of St. Louis; in 1991, he was awarded the ChFC designation; and

WHEREAS, Following his retirement from the Travelers Insurance Company, William Metzger joined the Tyler and Associates Insurance Agency in Wood River; and

WHEREAS, William Metzger's community service to Collinsville began soon after his college graduation; he was a member of the Collinsville Jaycees and Vice-President of the baseball league; in 1959, he joined the Collinsville Rotary Club, where he remained an active member for 47 years, serving as President in 1963-64 and as secretary for many years; he was named a Paul Harris Fellow and was the Rotarian of the Year in 1987-88; selling oranges for Rotary was a part of every Christmas season; in 1961, he was presented the Distinguished Service Award "Young Man of the Year" by the Collinsville Junior Chamber of Commerce; he was nominated by two groups in recognition of his overall business and community involvement; he served in the Missouri Air National Guard and was a member of the Tepee Adult Advisory Board, serving as its President; he became a member of the YMCA board in its formative years when the summer day camp was established; he served on the Capital Campaign when the current CMT YMCA building was built; he was a member of the library board of the Collinsville Memorial Public Library and the CMPL Foundation; the Blum House was another of his projects during the time of Sunday night concerts on the lawn and the "Gentle Voices Calling" fundraisers at the historic Glenwood Cemetery; and

WHEREAS, William Metzger was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Collinsville, where he was the financial secretary for many years; when his children were growing up, he helped with their activities, including coaching baseball and timing at swim meets; he was always there to support his children and grandchildren; he took pride in his yard and enjoyed his unique deck; and

WHEREAS, William Metzger was preceded in death by his parents; and

WHEREAS, William Metzger is survived by his wife, Lois; his son, William Mathew (Dana) Metzger; his daughters, Ellen Christine (Ben) Birch, and Susan Marie (Chris) Peters; his grandchildren, Brett William Metzger, Cole Mathew Metzger, Darci Lynn Metzger, Benton William Birch, Elizabeth Ann Birch, Catherine Christine Birch, Mathew James Birch, Emily Ann Peters, Maxwell James Peters, and Abigail Rose Peters; and his sister, Virginia Metzger Shover; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of William James "Bill" Metzger, 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 William Metzger as an expression of our deepest sympathy.