SR0581

LRB096 17399 KXB 32752 r





  
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SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to 
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learn of the death of Evanell Williams of Litchfield, who 
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passed away on December 24, 2009; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, She was born in Carrier Mills on June 2, 1925, the 
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daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Gee) Meler; she graduated 
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from Galatia High School in Galatia and from Business School in 
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Springfield; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, During World War II she worked as a "Rosie the 
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Riveter" at a defense contracting plant in Evansville, Indiana; 
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she married Bennett J. "Ben" Williams on April 2, 1946 in 
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Henderson, Kentucky; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, She worked for Dr. Butler, Durham Lumber Company, 
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and Woolworths, all in Harrisburg; she worked for WEPCO 
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Manufacturing in Litchfield; she worked as a sales clerk in 
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East St. Louis and St. Louis; and she retired from the Illinois 
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State Police District 18 in Litchfield after 30 years of 
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service; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, She was a member of St. Timothy United Methodist 
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Church, Litchfield Zonta Club, and was a longtime volunteer for 
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the Red Cross Blood Bank, serving as the Coordinator for many 
 


 






SR0581
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LRB096 17399 KXB 32752 r




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years; she enjoyed fishing, hunting deer and wild turkey and 
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was a founding member of the National Wild Turkey Federation; 
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she also loved to travel and was actively involved with the 
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United Mine Workers of America District #12, along with her 
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husband; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, She was preceded in death by her parents; and her 
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sisters, Wilma Droit, Wanda Arnold, and Reba Brothers; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Evanell Williams is survived by her husband, Ben; 
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her son, James "Greg" (Susan); her daughter, Sandra Klein; her 
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brother, Sigel Meler; her grandchildren, Benjamin Fletcher and 
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Haley M. Williams; and her great-grandson, Tommy Abner; 
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therefore, be it
  
 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL 
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ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with 
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her family and friends, the passing of Evanell Williams; and be 
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it further
  
 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to the family of Evanell Williams as a symbol of our 
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sincere sympathy.