SR0552 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0552 LRB094 15902 HSS 51126 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with regret of the death of William "Bill" Bryant of Bethalto on Monday, December 5, 2005; and

WHEREAS, He was born a twin son on July 3, 1927, to Samuel L. and Maude (Burton) Bryant; he married the former Thelma D. (Newell) on October 10, 1949; she preceded him in death on July 9, 1999, after almost 50 years of marriage; and

WHEREAS, He loved his country and his hometown of Bethalto, and he was very civic-minded; he served a short time in 1948 with the Illinois National Guard and the National Guard of the United States; he was later honorably discharged to take care of his ailing parents; and

WHEREAS, In 1951, he became an employee of Union Electric Co., now known as AmerenCIPS, in the Alton meter department; he retired in 1986 after 35 years of service; and

WHEREAS, In 1947, he helped arrange the Cottage Hills Volunteer Fire Department; he served as president, secretary, and treasurer, and was later elected chief for 20 years; in the 1950s and 1960s, he was a deputy sheriff for Madison County; he was elected assistant Wood River Township supervisor in 1957 and 1961; and

WHEREAS, He received a 25-year service award from the Department of Law Enforcement from Governor Richard B. Ogilvie; he also received 12 diplomas in firefighting from the University of Illinois; he was elected Democratic precinct committeeman in Cottage Hills 15 and Bethalto 26 for 47 years, and most important to him was becoming a member of the First Baptist Church of Bethalto and serving the Lord Jesus Christ; and

WHEREAS, He wanted to be remembered for his undying love for his family and caring for his fellow man to make the world a better place; and

WHEREAS, The passing of William "Bill" Bryant has been deeply felt by many, especially his children, John and Rhonda Schilling, Lloyd "BoBo" and Kathy Schilling, William "Mike" and Dianna Bryant, Samuel L. and Nancy Bryant, Mayor Steve A. and Anita Bryant, Rick and Sandra (Bryant) Wieckhorst, and Arvel and Cynthia (Bryant) Beecher; and his 16 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren; he was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and his granddaughter, Tara L. Bryant, who passed away in 1998; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of William "Bill" Bryant, who will long be remembered for his many contributions to the people of his area and as an example in public service, and we extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and community; and be it further

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