SR0459 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0459 LRB103 34206 LAW 64029 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of William Joseph "Bill" Christiansen of Des Plaines, who passed away on August 23, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Bill Christiansen was born to Christ G. Christiansen and Kathleen (O'Rourke) Christiansen on December 26, 1946; he was a lifelong Des Plaines resident; he served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam and earned numerous awards, including the Silver Star, the Purple Heart, and the Bronze Star as a long-range reconnaissance patrolman (LRRP)/ranger; and

WHEREAS, Bill Christiansen worked as a dockman for K&R Delivery; in retirement, he enjoyed fishing and started a second career at Rolling Meadows High School, where he worked as an instructional assistant in the Special Education Department and as a coach for the girls' bowling team and boys' water polo team; and

WHEREAS, Bill Christiansen found joy in sharing his wartime experiences, serving as a guest speaker in high school classrooms and as president of his local Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) chapter; most recently, he authored a book about his time in Vietnam; and

WHEREAS, Bill Christiansen will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, and fisherman; and

WHEREAS, Bill Christiansen was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Mary Ann Walker; and

WHEREAS, Bill Christiansen is survived by his wife of 55 years, Connie (Gilmore); his daughters, Annie (Steve) Grosz, Sara (Dan) Knigge, Leah Dillow, and Becky (Brent) Offill; his grandchildren, Charlie, Mikaela, Jack, Julia, Evan, Matthew, Thomas, Tessa, and Joe; his siblings, Bob (Judy) Christiansen, Kathy (Izzy) Sierra, Tom (Jan) Christiansen, and Kevin (Irene) Christiansen; and countless nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of William Joseph "Bill" Christiansen 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 Bill Christiansen as an expression of our deepest sympathy.