SR0327 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0327 LRB096 13230 GRL 27889 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Willie J. Welch, who passed away on May 31, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Willie Welch was born on September 1, 1918 in Portland, Arkansas; his parents were James and Lula Welch; he married Minnie Gardner on August 13, 1968; and

WHEREAS, Willie Welch was an accomplished jazz musician who attended the Chicago Conservatory of Music; he formed his first band while serving as a soldier in the United States Army; after his honorable discharge in 1944 and a few stints in other groups, he formed the very popular Willie Welch Band, which had scheduled performances up until his passing; and

WHEREAS, Willie Welch confessed his hope in Christ at an early age and was an active member of the Merrill Avenue Baptist Church; he loved his church community and attended Sunday school and Bible classes faithfully; and

WHEREAS, Willie Welch was employed at Cook County Hospital for 17 years as a supervisor and union steward, serving until his retirement in 1983; and

WHEREAS, Willie Welch was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Mamie Mathis, John Holmes, Elizabeth Richardson, Eldora Dotson, O.C. Perkins, Thelma Bennett, and Ora Evans; and his step-son, Robert Gardner; and

WHEREAS, Willie Welch is survived by his loving wife, Minnie; his children, Debra, Henrietta, Ruth, Ervin, and Barbara; his grandchildren, Raymond, Sharon, Shamari, Edward, Donald, Twanna, Tanya, Tasha, Robert, Tieria, Ervin Jr., Jabari, Dejon, Lashay, Fred, and Kaylynn; his nieces and nephews, Eugene, Lula, Estella, Elizabeth, Joan, Charles, Herman, Patricia, Jeanette, Joyce, Anita, Vera, Larry, Gail, Stephanie, Dominick, Wendy, and Michael; his 53 great-nieces and great-nephews; and his many other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, Willie Welch will be remembered by all who knew and loved him as a colorful character that adored his family and was always ready with a joke; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Willie J. Welch; and be it further

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