Bill Text: TX SR514 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Recognizing William Terry on the occasion of his 95th birthday.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2017-03-28 - Reported enrolled [SR514 Detail]
Download: Texas-2017-SR514-Enrolled.html
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| WHEREAS, The 95th birthday of an esteemed member of the | ||
| Greatest Generation is truly cause for celebration, and William | ||
| Terry of White Oak marked this significant milestone in his life | ||
| on February 11, 2017; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Born to Thomas and Zora Terry in Cisco in 1922, | ||
| Bill Terry grew up with three siblings, Dorothy, Wanda, and | ||
| Thomas; he served his country in the United States Navy from 1939 | ||
| until 1945, participating in 13 landings and 18 shore | ||
| bombardments; as a gunner's mate on the destroyer USS Reid, he | ||
| survived both the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the sinking of his | ||
| ship in the Philippines' Leyte Gulf following repeated kamikaze | ||
| attacks; he was also deployed to Kiska, Nazan Bay, Guadalcanal, | ||
| Lae, Finchaven, Arawe, Cape Gloucester, Cape Sudest, Cape | ||
| Cretin, Saidor, Ataipe, Biak, Owi, Noemfoor, Wake, Tacloban, | ||
| Ormoc, Wadke, Hollandia, and Los Negros; among other | ||
| decorations, he received the Purple Heart; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Mr. Terry married Alma Louise White in 1945, and | ||
| they became the parents of two treasured sons, Stephen and Allen; | ||
| following her untimely death in 1960, he was fortunate enough to | ||
| find love a second time, and he and Marlena Morine Raley Smith were | ||
| joined in matrimony on May 29, 1961; he welcomed into his family her | ||
| six children, James, Patricia, Gary, Richard, Barbara, and Mollie, | ||
| and today he also takes great pride in 19 grandchildren and more | ||
| than 30 great-grandchildren; Mr. and Mrs. Terry shared a fulfilling | ||
| relationship until her death in 2013; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Until his retirement, Mr. Terry was employed by | ||
| ExxonMobil; he is a valued member of White Oak United Methodist | ||
| Church and a 32nd Degree Mason; over the years, he has shared his | ||
| wartime experiences with many schoolchildren, offering them a | ||
| personal link to a seminal era in our nation's history, and he has | ||
| also granted newspaper and television interviews to provide | ||
| perspective on Pacific Theater operations; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Meeting life's challenges with resilience, | ||
| optimism, and determination, Bill Terry is an inspiration to many | ||
| people, and he holds a special place in the hearts of all who are | ||
| privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th | ||
| Legislature, hereby congratulate William Terry on his 95th | ||
| birthday and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued | ||
| happiness; and, be it further | ||
| RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for | ||
| Mr. Terry as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate. | ||
| Hughes | ||
| ________________________________ | ||
| President of the Senate | ||
| I hereby certify that the | ||
| above Resolution was adopted by | ||
| the Senate on March 28, 2017. | ||
| ________________________________ | ||
| Secretary of the Senate | ||
| ________________________________ | ||
| Member, Texas Senate | ||
