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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3to learn of the death of Barton "Bart" Francis Wills, a
4lifelong resident of Champaign, who passed away on February
519, 2021; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Bart Wills was born to Betty Louise Reifsteck
7Wills and Creed Airol Wills on January 22, 1955; he graduated
8from Champaign Central High School in 1973; he earned an
9Associate Degree in Applied Science from Parkland College and
10a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Southern Illinois
11University at Carbondale; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Bart Wills first served as director of the
13Champaign County Survival Skills and Youth Employment Program
14and later as director of Champaign County Youth Services; he
15then entered the insurance field in 1982; he began his
16insurance career with Prudential and then moved into an equity
17ownership agreement with First Alliance Financial Group, Inc.
18in 1991; in 2004, he continued his equity ownership with the
19Dimond Brothers Insurance agency after its merger with First
20Alliance; he was also a registered representative with LPL
21Financial; he specialized in employee benefits and pension
22plans for businesses; he earned the coveted designations of
23registered health underwriter (RHU) in 1999 and chartered life

 

 

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1underwriter (CLU) in 2003; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Bart Wills contributed to his community through
3both professional and social organizations; he served as a
4board member, a Political Action Committee member, and as
5state regional director of the Illinois Association of
6Insurance and Financial Advisors, as president and legislative
7chairperson for the Champaign Area Life Underwriters, as a
8member of the Champaign County Mental Health Board, as
9president and a committee member for the University of
10Illinois Baseball Dugout Club, and as a board member for the
11Illinois Rebounders; he also was a contributing sponsor for
12the Red Ribbon anti-drug campaign for the Prairie Center
13Health System, Inc. and belonged to the Parkland College and
14SIU Alumni organizations; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Bart Wills was an outstanding athlete, who was
16known as a tough and highly competitive player with a
17fun-loving attitude; he played as an undersized center for
18Champaign Central's 1972 Big 12 conference championship
19football team; he played softball through 2019 and was a key
20member of the Illinois Softball Association Hall of Fame teams
21Gery & Al's and the English Brothers; he was selected to play
22on many all-state softball teams, multiple Twin-City
23championship teams, and state championship teams; the
24highlight of his softball career was starring for a World

 

 

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1Championship Senior softball team in 2017 at the age of 62;
2although he played recreational basketball, his passion was
3slow-pitch softball, and he was one of the best for more than
4four decades; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Bart Wills was a die-hard Cardinals fan and was a
6longtime season ticket holder; he also enjoyed music, cars,
7and travel, but his greatest joy was his family; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Bart Wills is survived by his daughter, Rachel;
9his brother, Brian; his nephew, Joseph "J.P." Wills; and his
10sister, Rebecca (Jeffery) Powell; therefore, be it
 
11    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL
12ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
13Barton "Bart" Francis Wills and extend our sincere condolences
14to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be
15it further
 
16    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
17presented to the family of Bart Wills as an expression of our
18deepest sympathy.