HR0340 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0340 LRB096 12509 GRL 25612 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of William Crocker of Sesser, who passed away on April 18, 2009; and

WHEREAS, William Crocker was born on October 25, 1923 in Scheller; his parents were Raymond and Mary (McBride) Crocker; he married Dorothy (Payne) Christy on March 4, 1950 in Piggott, Arkansas; they were divorced in 1956; he married Ruth Ann (Summers) Eubanks on May 20, 1961 at First Baptist Church in Sesser; and

WHEREAS, William Crocker attended Sesser High School before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps during World War II, where he served as an aircraft mechanic in the South Pacific and was honorably discharged at the rank of sergeant; upon his return to the U.S., he attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale, taught school, and worked as a boilermaker in several states, as well as in Venezuela; and

WHEREAS, In the late 1950s and 1960s, William Crocker was the owner of the Crocker Implement Co. in Sesser, where he operated an Oliver and Massey Ferguson farm equipment dealership; and

WHEREAS, William Crocker was involved in numerous civic organizations and government agencies, but he was most proud of his service as Goode Township supervisor for the past 28 years; he was re-elected to another four-year term in April of 2008; and

WHEREAS, William Crocker was honored by the Masonic Order for his 50 years of service on March 31, 2009; and

WHEREAS, William Crocker enjoyed being with his family, gardening, and discussing government with his friends at the local coffee shop, where he was known as "Mr. Democrat"; and

WHEREAS, William Crocker is survived by his wife, Ruth Ann (Summers) Crocker; his sons, Carl Crocker, married to Kathy (Loucks), William "Bid" Crocker Jr., married to Lisa (Cockrum), and Jeffery Crocker; his daughter, Susan (Crocker), married to Mike Summers; his step-sons, Mike Eubanks, married to JoAnna (Bisselle), and Ritchie Eubanks; he is the proud grandfather of 10 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren; he is also survived by his siblings, Dorothy Moody, Clara Brown, Elmer Crocker, and Burton Crocker; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of William Crocker; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of William Crocker as an expression of our sympathy.