SR0246 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Royce W. Elliott of East Peoria, who passed away on April 21, 2013; and

WHEREAS, Royce Elliott was born on March 29, 1936, in Stephenville, Texas; his parents were Earl and Loretta Elliott; he married Helen Milford on October 14, 1961; and

WHEREAS, Royce Elliott graduated from Woodruff High School, where he played baseball, basketball, and football and participated in choir; he later attended Western Illinois University, where he played football and baseball, and Bradley University; and

WHEREAS, Royce Elliott was best known as "America's funniest clean comedian"; he traveled all over North America performing as an emcee for sports, corporate, and charity events; he entertained at numerous venues, such as Bally's Las Vegas, The Grand Ole Opry, and Atlantic City; he also performed his routine at the Stadium Club in Peoria, Two Brother's Tap, and local baseball fields; and

WHEREAS, Royce Elliott made dozens of national television appearances on "The Ralph Emery Show", "Crook and Chase", "Nashville Now", and "The Statler Brothers Show"; he worked with many celebrities, including Frank Sinatra, Lou Rawls, Rich Little, Barbara Mandrell, Vince Gill, and Conway Twitty; he also worked sports banquets and fantasy camps with sports stars Lou Brock, Bob Gibson, Fergie Jenkins, Terry Bradshaw, Jack Buck, Harry Caray, and many others; and

WHEREAS, After semi-retiring, Royce Elliott worked locally as a co-host of "Breakfast With Royce and Roger", where he connected with his all-time favorite comedian, Jonathan Winters; he spent most Thursday mornings at the Sterling Family Restaurant with good friends from the ROMEO club; and

WHEREAS, Royce Elliott enjoyed sports and coaching and sponsoring local teams; he played for several years in the Peoria Sunday Morning League and played fast pitch softball for about 20 years; Elliott's Jesters sponsored fast pitch teams, park district men's basketball teams, and youth track teams; he also coached in the Salvation Army Biddy Basketball league and West Peoria Little League; and

WHEREAS, Royce Elliott was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Rhonda Elizabeth Elliott; and his sister, Ruth; and

WHEREAS, Royce Elliott is survived by his wife, Helen; his children, Tye (Elizabeth) Elliott, Brian Elliott, Hedy (Zeb) Gardner, and Brett Elliott (fiancee, Devon Courtney); his grandchildren, Brooke, Mitch, Beau, Morgan, Brayden, Romi, Gia, and Devon's sons, Mason and Ayden; and his brother, Billy Elliott; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Royce W. Elliott; and be it further

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