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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Edward
4Louis "Ed" Wilson, who passed away on September 4, 2023; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Ed Wilson was born in Hammond, Louisiana to
6Hattie Barney and Connie Wilson on January 30, 1916; his
7family migrated to Chicago during the 1920s; he graduated from
8Tilden Technical High School in Chicago and then spent five
9years working to support the family and to save for college; he
10worked as a Pullman Porter during that period; he graduated
11from West Virginia State College with a degree in electrical
12engineering in 1942, where he became a member of Alpha Phi
13Alpha Fraternity in 1941 and was their oldest living member;
14he married Odessa on August 20, 1942; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Ed Wilson was recruited to join the Tuskegee
16Airmen while at West Virginia State College but instead chose
17to serve in the U.S. Army Signal Corps, the predecessor of the
18Air Force, in San Bernardino, California; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Ed Wilson was an early Black entrepreneur; he
20formed a business in the 1950s that developed and tested
21oscilloscopes for the military, becoming one of the first
22Black government contractors; he closed that business and

 

 

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1later formed a partnership with some friends known as the
2Practical Trades Institute, which specialized in training
3electricians, TV repairmen, and others in a variety of
4trades/crafts; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Ed Wilson decided to find more steady work with
6engineering firms and soon earned a reputation as a top-notch
7quality assurance specialist, which carried through his
8career; at one firm he was chosen to be part of the team at
9NASA that designed, tested, and equipped space suits for
10astronauts; at another firm, he was frequently commended for
11outstanding quality testing and innovation of automotive and
12industrial supply equipment; during this time, he also was
13asked to work alongside the federal administration on the Task
14Force for Youth Motivation created under President Lyndon B.
15Johnson; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Ed Wilson and Odessa Wilson were one of the
17founding families of Kelly United Methodist Church, which
18recently celebrated its 70th Anniversary; he was recognized
19with their Lifetime Achievement and Service Award and served
20as the church treasurer for many years; and
 
21    WHEREAS, Ed Wilson was the first Black Eagle Scout in the
22Chicago area and an avid golf fan, which he continued to play
23into his late 80s; he was affectionately known as "PaPoo",

 

 

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1bestowed upon him by his grandson, Brian; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Ed Wilson was preceded in death by his wife of
3nearly 73 years, Odessa "MaMa", and his siblings, Vivian
4Harris, Bernice Haywood, and Donald Carroway; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Ed Wilson is survived by his children, Robert,
6Bruce (Cathy), and Paula (Bill); his grandchildren, Warren
7Wilson, Ester Wilson, Marcus (Pam) Wilson, Bridget (James)
8Cravens-Neely, Brian Wilson, Steven (Jessica) Wilson, Tiffany
9(Josh) Bulliner Johnson, Willis Jack Bulliner III, and Dana
10(Desmond) Bulliner Ervin; 18 great-grandchildren; four
11great-great-grandchildren; and numerous extended family and
12friends; therefore, be it
 
13    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
14HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
15we mourn the passing of Edward Louis "Ed" Wilson and extend our
16sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew
17and loved him; and be it further
 
18    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
19presented to the family of Ed Wilson as an expression of our
20deepest sympathy.