SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 514
	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