Bill Text: IL SR0027 | 2021-2022 | 102nd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Joseph William "Bill" Sharpe of Peoria.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2021-03-10 - Resolution Adopted [SR0027 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2021-SR0027-Introduced.html

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SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
to learn of the death of Joseph William "Bill" Sharpe of
Peoria, who passed on January 2, 2021; and
WHEREAS, Bill Sharpe was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to
Joseph William Sharpe and Elizabeth Roberts on February 20,
1938; he graduated from Bradley University in 1961 with a
bachelor's degree in Business Administration, where he was
president of the Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity and
served on numerous boards and committees; he had the
opportunity to work closely with Jack Brickhouse, organizing
fundraisers in the Chicago area for the Bradley Athletic
Department; he was also a member of the Bradley Scholarship
Society; and
WHEREAS, Bill Sharpe first married Nancy Clayton, the
mother of his three daughters; he then married Judith Brown,
the mother of his son; he married Deborah Tilly in Italy in
2003; and
WHEREAS, After working at Caterpillar, Inc., Bill Sharpe
founded Sharp Income Tax Service in December of 1969, which
became the largest, single location tax office in the United
States, preparing over 10,000 tax returns per year;

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subsequently, he owned and operated Total Income Tax Service
and Sharp Payroll Service, retiring in May of 2016; and
WHEREAS, Bill Sharpe was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs
fan and was thrilled to see them win the World Series in 2016;
he also loved reading, traveling, fine dining, and
socializing; he will especially be remembered for his kind
heart and generosity in both his business and personal life;
and
WHEREAS, Bill Sharpe was preceded in death by his parents;
his infant son, Russell; and his son-in-law, James Voelker;
and
WHEREAS, Bill Sharpe is survived by his wife, Deborah; his
second wife, Judith; his daughters, Cindy (George) Birkhold,
Kelly Voelker, and Toni (Carl) Root; his son, Joseph William
(Shelley) Sharpe III; his stepdaughter, Erica Pegues; his
stepson, Troy (Betsy) Tilly; 11 grandchildren; 16
great-grandchildren; his brother, Thomas (Carol) Sharpe; his
sister, Susan (Kent) Currie; and family friend, Linda Nelson;
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
Joseph William "Bill" Sharpe and extend our sincere

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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 Sharpe as an expression of our
deepest sympathy.