SR0755 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0755 LRB103 39171 LAW 69317 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Larry Hayes "Willie" Wilcox of Springfield, who passed away on December 11, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Larry Wilcox, the son of Warren and Doris (Hayes) Wilcox, was born in Springfield on February 9, 1949; he was raised in Palmer, where he was a member of Advent Christian Church; he graduated from Morrisonville High School in 1967; he married Ruth Kathryn Ferrill on June 7, 1968, and they later divorced; he attended Lincoln Land Community College; he was a member of the first graduating class of Sangamon State University, receiving his Bachelor of Arts in History in May 1972; he later earned his Master of Arts in Accountancy from the University of Illinois Springfield in December 1995; and

WHEREAS, Larry Wilcox served in the 183rd Fighter Wing, a unit of the Illinois Air National Guard, for over 30 years before retiring at the rank of chief master sergeant; he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal; and

WHEREAS, Larry Wilcox was a certified public accountant and a certified internal auditor; he worked as a civilian in the position of internal auditor for the Illinois Army National Guard; he continued his career as a certified internal auditor at the National Bank of Hillsboro, the Illinois Department of Transportation, and the Illinois Commerce Commission; and

WHEREAS, Larry Wilcox was a member of the Illinois CPA Society and the American Contract Bridge League, achieving the level of gold life master; he belonged to Morrisonville American Legion Leslie-Reddick Post 721, where he volunteered to march in many parades and to assist with military funerals; he was also a blood donor, donating many gallons throughout his life; and

WHEREAS, Larry Wilcox was an avid sports fan, especially of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Fighting Illini basketball team, and he attended the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia and the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia; he enjoyed playing slow-pitch softball and league bowling for many years; he also loved rock & roll music and enjoyed playing the bass guitar, participating in two bands over the course of his life, The Sultans in high school and the band Traxx later in life; and

WHEREAS, Larry Wilcox was very proud of his grandchildren and loved spending time with them, and he was known for wearing his "Illini Grandpa" hat with pride; and

WHEREAS, Larry Wilcox was preceded in death by his parents; his maternal grandparents, Lee and Gladys Hayes; and his paternal grandparents, Orval and Rena Wilcox; and

WHEREAS, Larry Wilcox is survived by his daughter, Christy (Clayton) Bloome; his grandchildren, Jake (Rachel Dougherty) Bloome and Rebecca (Dustin Craig) Bloome; his great-granddaughter, Amelia Bloome; his brother, Bruce (Donna) Wilcox; his nieces, Bobbie (Hank) Harker and Laura (Andrew) Ahrens; his great-nephews and great-niece, Hayden, Brody, and Elayna Harker; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Larry Hayes "Willie" Wilcox and extend our sincere 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 Larry Wilcox as an expression of our deepest sympathy.