SR0035

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SENATE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate wish to express 
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their sincere condolences to the family and friends of Wilbur 
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H. Bacus of Alton, who recently passed away; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Wilbur H. Bacus was born July 30, 1909, in Pike 
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County; he was the fifth born of 15 children to James Harvey 
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Maze Bacus and Ola May (Hack) Bacus;
he attended Alton's public 
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high school, Theodore Roosevelt High, and played halfback on 
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the Rough Riders varsity football team; and

 
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    WHEREAS, While Wilbur Bacus was attending high school, his 
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father was killed and he chose to leave school and support his 
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mother and younger siblings; he spent summers tending orchards 
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for his grandfather, William Harvey Bacus; he married Wilma Lee 
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(Finley) Bacus in 1942, and then went on  to serve as one of 
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seven Bacus brothers in military service during World War II; 
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he was a corporal in the United States Army and  participated in 
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amphibious landings in the Pacific Theater; he was decorated 
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for his service to our country; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Wilbur Bacus worked as a machinist at Olin 
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Matheson, retiring at age 65 in 1974;
he was a husband, father, 
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grandfather, uncle, brother, son, bowler, gardener, lover of 
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life, church elder, Odd Fellow, athlete, scout committee, 
 


 






SR0035
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coach, GOP, soldier, lifelong student, dancer, Christian, 
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harmonica player, provider, and citizen; he respected all he 
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met, and his word was his bond; he was thoughtful, kind, and 
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ready to help those in need; and he was all-American in every 
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sense of the phrase; and

 
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    WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 64 
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years, Wilma Lee (Finley) Bacus; his parents; and his 14 
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siblings; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Wilbur H. Bacus is survived by two sons, Steven 
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and Martha Bacus, and Joseph and Sandra Bacus; his 
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grandchildren, Jay Taylor Bacus, and Virginia Elaine Bacus; and 
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by many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL 
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ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we offer our deepest 
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condolences to the family and friends of Wilbur H. Bacus; and 
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be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to the family of Wilbur H.Bacus as a symbol of our 
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sympathy.