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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the passing of Walter
4William Pierce, better known to White Sox fans and all who love
5baseball as Billy Pierce; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Billy Pierce's 18-year career in Major League
7baseball is best known for his 13 years as a pitcher for the
8Chicago White Sox; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Billy Pierce was a 7-time All Star with the White
10Sox, including seasons in which he led the American League in
11complete games, wins, earned run average, and strikeouts; and
 
12    WHEREAS, The White Sox paid tribute to Billy Pierce in
131987, retiring his number 19 in recognition of his
14accomplishments; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Billy Pierce and his wife Gloria settled in
16Evergreen Park in 1962, where they raised their 3 children,
17William, Patricia, and Robert; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Billy Pierce was also committed to the fight
19against cancer, serving as a committee member of Chicago
20Baseball Cancer Charities for 46 years and acting as president

 

 

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1of the group for 20 years following the death of teammate
2Nellie Fox; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Billy Pierce was an active member of his
4community, making frequent public appearances in the Chicago
5area on behalf of the White Sox and earning the distinction of
633rd Degree Mason at his Evergreen Park Lodge; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Billy Pierce passed away on July 31, 2015 at the
8age of 88 after a battle with gallbladder cancer; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Billy Pierce will be remembered throughout the
10community he loved as a steadfast ambassador of the game of
11baseball and a committed humanitarian; therefore, be it
 
12    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
13NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
14we, along with his family and friends, honor and mourn the
15passing of Walter William "Billy" Pierce; and be it further
 
16    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
17presented to the family of Walter William "Billy" Pierce as a
18symbol of our deep appreciation of his service to his country
19and his community.