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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of William "Bill" James Carothers Sr., who
4passed away on April 5, 2017; and
 
5    WHEREAS, William Carothers was born in Chicago to Walter
6and Albenda Carothers on March 29, 1929, the fifth of six
7children; and
 
8    WHEREAS, William Carothers was educated in the Chicago
9Public School system; he attended Grant Elementary School,
10McKinley High School, and Theodore Herzl Junior College (now
11Malcolm X College); he married Roberta Sims in 1952; and
 
12    WHEREAS, William Carothers was employed by the
13International Harvester Company, IC Supermarket, and the City
14of Chicago; he was finally employed by Habilitative Systems,
15Inc. for over 20 years, where he was the Executive Assistant to
16the Executive Director, Donald Dew; he also worked for
17Executive Director Larry T. Byrd; and
 
18    WHEREAS, William Carothers was elected ward committeeman
19and alderman of the 28th Ward; and
 
20    WHEREAS, William Carothers was a member of Original

 

 

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1Providence Baptist Church for over 60 years, where he served as
2a trustee of the church for over 30 years; and
 
3    WHEREAS, William Carothers was known by several names
4defined by his work; he gained the title "The Boss" from his
5political days when he organized field operations for numerous
6political campaigns; he earned the name "Mr. C" from the many
7years he worked for Habilitative Systems, Inc.; and
 
8    WHEREAS, William Carothers is remembered for his love of
9his family and politics; he taught his sons to be men,
10instilling his belief with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s quote:
11"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in
12moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at
13times of challenge and controversy"; and
 
14    WHEREAS, William Carothers was known for being a sharp
15dresser and his fine taste in suits, ties, and the pocket
16square; he loved the icon and creator of funk music, the
17"Godfather of Soul" James Brown, frequently quoting lyrics in
18times of challenge from such songs as "Payback" and "You got to
19deal with it"; and
 
20    WHEREAS, William Carothers was preceded in death by his
21parents; all of his siblings; his son, Gregory; and his
22daughters, Pamela and Colette; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, William Carothers is survived by his wife of 64
2years, Roberta; his sons, Isaac (Sharron), William Jr., and
3Anthony (Kathie); three grandsons; five granddaughters;
4numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and
5friends; his sisters-in-law, Anita, Cora, and Yvonne; his
6son-in-law, Louis; and his Original Providence Baptist family;
7therefore, be it
 
8    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL
9ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
10William "Bill" James Carothers Sr., and extend our sincere
11condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved
12him; and be it further
 
13    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
14presented to the family of William Carothers as an expression
15of our deepest sympathy.