SR0501 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0501 LRB095 17452 KXB 43525 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the recent passing of Earl Williams; and

WHEREAS, Earl Williams was born in Chicago on January 25, 1947, to the union of Clarence Earl Williams and Betty Jane Norment Williams; he was the third of five children born to this marriage; he was a conscientious, highly intelligent, and extremely active child, who found the Lord at an early age and attended Grant Memorial AME with his sisters and younger brother; and

WHEREAS, He served and protected his country well as a member of the Officers Training Corp of the United States Army, executing and translating cryptic codes in Vietnam; during this time he married Aletha Elizabeth Marbles and together they had three children; upon completing his Army tour, he received his law degree from DePaul University, and became a member of the Illinois State Bar, going into private practice with his friend, Attorney Ed Zigman; and

WHEREAS, Earl Williams left private practice to join the Illinois States Attorney's office and then the Illinois Department of Revenue, from which he retired after twenty-five years of service; he was active as a union arbitrator for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME); upon his retirement, Earl Williams joined his sister's firm, Carol H. Williams Advertising, as the General Counsel; and

WHEREAS, In October, 2006, Earl Williams recommitted his life to the Lord, and was baptized and received the right hand of fellowship at Apostolic Church of God; Earl Williams further continued his commitment to God and mankind by becoming part owner and administrator of Garden Plaza Convalescent Home in Los Angeles, and also by establishing Liberty Child Care Center in Chicago, which services children with HIV/AIDS; and

WHEREAS, Earl Williams leaves behind to mourn him his sons, Earl Williams and Eric Williams; his daughter, Tesha Muhhamad; his three sisters, Betty Jane Thompson, Carol Henny Williams Hood, and Gracie Antoinette Turner; his brother, Clarence Williams, Jr.; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, extended family, and many great friends; his memory will be greatly cherished by Mrs. Aletha Elizabeth Williams; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Earl Williams; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Earl Williams as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.