HR0699 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0699 LRB096 15143 GRL 30200 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of John L. Watson Sr., who passed away on August 30, 2009; and

WHEREAS, John Watson Sr. was born on May 15, 1948, in Rondo, Arkansas; he was the son of Annie Bell and Wille B. Watson; and

WHEREAS, John Watson Sr. grew up in Rondo, Arkansas, where he worked alongside his parents in the fields; he attended Anna Strong High School, where he played baseball, basketball, and football; after graduating high school in 1965, he attended the HBCU Arkansas AM&N (now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff); in 1969, he moved to Chicago, where he married his childhood sweetheart, Bobbie J. Watson; and

WHEREAS, John Watson Sr. tried to start several businesses during his lifetime, including a trucking company; as his family grew, however, he decided that, as a family man, he needed a more settled profession; he then began working for Reynolds Aluminum (now Alcoa), where he worked for over 30 years; during his tenure at Reynolds, he was well known as a hard worker and ascended the ranks, progressing from a laborer to a supervisor; and

WHEREAS, John Watson Sr. is survived by his wife of almost 40 years, Bobbie Watson; his children, Dana Watson Carroll (William), Tammi Watson Eastlin (Maurice), Linda Watson Edgar (Anthony), and John L. Watson Jr.; and his grandchildren, John L. Watson III, LaShaundria Z. Watson, Mia F. Eastlin, Juwan L. Watson, and Avery Claire T. Carroll; and

WHEREAS, John Watson Sr. will be remembered by all who knew and loved him as a funny and wise man who loved his family most and his blues next; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with s family and friends, the passing of John L. Watson Sr.; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of John Watson Sr. as an expression of our sympathy.