SR0581 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0581 LRB096 17399 KXB 32752 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Evanell Williams of Litchfield, who passed away on December 24, 2009; and

WHEREAS, She was born in Carrier Mills on June 2, 1925, the daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Gee) Meler; she graduated from Galatia High School in Galatia and from Business School in Springfield; and

WHEREAS, During World War II she worked as a "Rosie the Riveter" at a defense contracting plant in Evansville, Indiana; she married Bennett J. "Ben" Williams on April 2, 1946 in Henderson, Kentucky; and

WHEREAS, She worked for Dr. Butler, Durham Lumber Company, and Woolworths, all in Harrisburg; she worked for WEPCO Manufacturing in Litchfield; she worked as a sales clerk in East St. Louis and St. Louis; and she retired from the Illinois State Police District 18 in Litchfield after 30 years of service; and

WHEREAS, She was a member of St. Timothy United Methodist Church, Litchfield Zonta Club, and was a longtime volunteer for the Red Cross Blood Bank, serving as the Coordinator for many years; she enjoyed fishing, hunting deer and wild turkey and was a founding member of the National Wild Turkey Federation; she also loved to travel and was actively involved with the United Mine Workers of America District #12, along with her husband; and

WHEREAS, She was preceded in death by her parents; and her sisters, Wilma Droit, Wanda Arnold, and Reba Brothers; and

WHEREAS, Evanell Williams is survived by her husband, Ben; her son, James "Greg" (Susan); her daughter, Sandra Klein; her brother, Sigel Meler; her grandchildren, Benjamin Fletcher and Haley M. Williams; and her great-grandson, Tommy Abner; therefore, be it

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

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