SR0027 LRB102 10316 MST 15643 r
1		SENATE RESOLUTION
2		WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3		to learn of the death of Joseph William "Bill" Sharpe of
4		Peoria, who passed on January 2, 2021; and
5		WHEREAS, Bill Sharpe was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to
6		Joseph William Sharpe and Elizabeth Roberts on February 20,
7		1938; he graduated from Bradley University in 1961 with a
8		bachelor's degree in Business Administration, where he was
9		president of the Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity and
10		served on numerous boards and committees; he had the
11		opportunity to work closely with Jack Brickhouse, organizing
12		fundraisers in the Chicago area for the Bradley Athletic
13		Department; he was also a member of the Bradley Scholarship
14		Society; and
15		WHEREAS, Bill Sharpe first married Nancy Clayton, the
16		mother of his three daughters; he then married Judith Brown,
17		the mother of his son; he married Deborah Tilly in Italy in
18		2003; and
19		WHEREAS, After working at Caterpillar, Inc., Bill Sharpe
20		founded Sharp Income Tax Service in December of 1969, which
21		became the largest, single location tax office in the United
22		States, preparing over 10,000 tax returns per year;

SR0027 - 2 - LRB102 10316 MST 15643 r
1		subsequently, he owned and operated Total Income Tax Service
2		and Sharp Payroll Service, retiring in May of 2016; and
3		WHEREAS, Bill Sharpe was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs
4		fan and was thrilled to see them win the World Series in 2016;
5		he also loved reading, traveling, fine dining, and
6		socializing; he will especially be remembered for his kind
7		heart and generosity in both his business and personal life;
8		and
9		WHEREAS, Bill Sharpe was preceded in death by his parents;
10		his infant son, Russell; and his son-in-law, James Voelker;
11		and
12		WHEREAS, Bill Sharpe is survived by his wife, Deborah; his
13		second wife, Judith; his daughters, Cindy (George) Birkhold,
14		Kelly Voelker, and Toni (Carl) Root; his son, Joseph William
15		(Shelley) Sharpe III; his stepdaughter, Erica Pegues; his
16		stepson, Troy (Betsy) Tilly; 11 grandchildren; 16
17		great-grandchildren; his brother, Thomas (Carol) Sharpe; his
18		sister, Susan (Kent) Currie; and family friend, Linda Nelson;
19		therefore, be it
20		RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL
21		ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
22		Joseph William "Bill" Sharpe and extend our sincere

SR0027 - 3 - LRB102 10316 MST 15643 r
1		condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved
2		him; and be it further
3		RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
4		presented to the family of Bill Sharpe as an expression of our
5		deepest sympathy.