SR0035 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0035 LRB095 07702 KXB 27858 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate wish to express their sincere condolences to the family and friends of Wilbur H. Bacus of Alton, who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Wilbur H. Bacus was born July 30, 1909, in Pike County; he was the fifth born of 15 children to James Harvey Maze Bacus and Ola May (Hack) Bacus; he attended Alton's public high school, Theodore Roosevelt High, and played halfback on the Rough Riders varsity football team; and

WHEREAS, While Wilbur Bacus was attending high school, his father was killed and he chose to leave school and support his mother and younger siblings; he spent summers tending orchards for his grandfather, William Harvey Bacus; he married Wilma Lee (Finley) Bacus in 1942, and then went on to serve as one of seven Bacus brothers in military service during World War II; he was a corporal in the United States Army and participated in amphibious landings in the Pacific Theater; he was decorated for his service to our country; and

WHEREAS, Wilbur Bacus worked as a machinist at Olin Matheson, retiring at age 65 in 1974; he was a husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, son, bowler, gardener, lover of life, church elder, Odd Fellow, athlete, scout committee, coach, GOP, soldier, lifelong student, dancer, Christian, harmonica player, provider, and citizen; he respected all he met, and his word was his bond; he was thoughtful, kind, and ready to help those in need; and he was all-American in every sense of the phrase; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 64 years, Wilma Lee (Finley) Bacus; his parents; and his 14 siblings; and

WHEREAS, Wilbur H. Bacus is survived by two sons, Steven and Martha Bacus, and Joseph and Sandra Bacus; his grandchildren, Jay Taylor Bacus, and Virginia Elaine Bacus; and by many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Wilbur H. Bacus; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Wilbur H.Bacus as a symbol of our sympathy.