SR0631 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0631 LRB101 13772 MST 62628 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of William Jens Moellering of Rock Island, who passed away on August 8, 2019; and

WHEREAS, William Moellering was born in Rock Island to Grover "Pete" and Christine Wadsager Moellering on July 10, 1927; he graduated from Rock Island High School; and

WHEREAS, William Moellering served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, where he sailed on the USS Donald W. Wolff in the Pacific from 1944 to 1946; he enjoyed passing time and entertaining his fellow sailors by playing the alto saxophone, which he learned how to play as a young boy; he was honored to participate in an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. in 2009; and

WHEREAS, William Moellering married Barbara Holland at First Christian Church in Rock Falls on March 13, 1955, and they settled in Rock Island; and

WHEREAS, William Moellering retired from Caterpillar in 1988 after 22 years of service; he previously worked for Servus Rubber, Rock Island Water Reservoir, Crompton's Service Station, Rock Island and Bettendorf, J.I. Case, Prudential Insurance, and Trinity Episcopal Church in Rock Island; and

WHEREAS, William Moellering was a member of Memorial Christian Church in Rock Island since 1959; he was a member of the Rock Island Masonic Lodge #658 for 34 years and spent 26 years with the Boy Scouts, where he served as the chaplain, assistant leader, chairman of advancements, and chairman of popcorn and Tom Watt sales; he also served on the Eagle Review Board for the Chief Blackhawk District; he was a member of the former Rock Island V.F.W. Post 1303 and participated in the CCC, Fort Armstrong Campers, Caterpillar Campers, Friends of the Rock Island Library, RSVP, and the QCCA; he spent 23 years playing the alto saxophone in a band, New Horizons, at C.A.S.I.; and

WHEREAS, William Moellering enjoyed fishing, hunting, watching the Cubs and Bears play, painting, woodworking, jigsaw puzzles, gemstone jewelry making, traveling, flower and vegetable gardening, volunteering at QCCA trade shows, homemade wine making, and playing the saxophone; he was also an avid reader of World War II history; he loved all his children and grandchildren and especially enjoyed watching them play sports; he even loved his cats; and

WHEREAS, William Moellering was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Dorothy Ryan; and several cousins; and

WHEREAS, William Moellering is survived by his wife, Barbara; his children, Barbara (Lonnie) Jacobs, Judy (Jerry) Mader, Cheryl (Rob) Faust, Bill Moellering, and Ken (Eve) Moellering; his grandchildren, Kathy Steele, Wendy Lionheart, Greg Minear, Jason Mader, Joshua Mader, Erin Borst, Brittany Haberthur, Lance Moellering, Emily Moellering, Calla Moellering, and Chloe Moellering; and his great-grandchildren, Dante, Shania, Stella, Ruby, Kira, Tucker, Sophia, Lucy, and the soon expected, Baby J; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of William Jens Moellering and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

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