SR0847 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of William C. "Corky" Robertson of Peoria, who passed away on November 14, 2019; and

WHEREAS, William Robertson was born in Peoria to Alfred J. and Clarissa (Coyte) Robertson on August 6, 1931; he played varsity baseball at Peoria High School for four years and football for three and was co-captain in both football and baseball his senior year; he was All-City guard his sophomore year and All-City/Greater Peoria as a tackle his junior and senior years; during his senior year, he was named All-State by both the Chicago Daily News and the Champaign News-Gazette; at Bradley University, he started as offensive center on the football team for three years and as catcher/1st baseman on the baseball team for three years; he married Dolores A. Frels at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Peoria on December 1, 1951; and

WHEREAS, William Robertson served in the Illinois Air National Guard and was a member of the 169th Fighter Interceptor Squadron (182nd Airlift Wing); and

WHEREAS, William Robertson began his coaching career at Princeville High School in 1953, where he served as head basketball, assistant football, and head track coach; he returned to Peoria High School in 1956 as an assistant coach; he was head coach in football from 1957 to 1965, compiling a record of 50 wins, 20 losses, and 8 ties; his 1963 team was undefeated and untied, the first in the history of the school; the 1957 team was the Big 12 Champion; in 1963 and 1964, his teams were Mid-State 9 Conference Champions; he also coached wrestling and golf and assisted in basketball, track, and baseball; and

WHEREAS, William Robertson left coaching for administration in 1969, serving through 1987; as principal of Peoria High School, he was instrumental in bringing the state cross country meet to Peoria and served as meet manager for 16 years; he took the lead in developing many athletic programs and school facilities, including the girls' athletic program; and

WHEREAS, William Robertson introduced and administered the first experimental injury prevention conditioning program to the Illinois High School Association; he was a basketball official for 20 years on both the high school and college level; he served as Mid-State Conference president several times, and he is the only individual to have played in, coached, and administered the annual Thanksgiving "Turkey Day" football games between Manual and Central High Schools; and

WHEREAS, William Robertson was inducted into the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame, where he served as president; he was active all his life at Bradley University in Peoria; he was president of the alumni association and was inducted into the Bradley Sports Hall of Fame; he received the Orville Northdruft Lifetime Achievement Award; after retiring, he was employed at Bradley University as the athletic ticket manager from 1987 to 2001; and

WHEREAS, William Robertson was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, where he served on several committees and was a Eucharistic Minister; he was a member of the Downtown Rotary Club of Peoria and received the Rotary Paul Harris Fellow Award; he played baseball in the Peoria Sunday Morning League for 12 years; and

WHEREAS, William Robertson was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Lois Weidner and Marjorie Peterson; his brother, AJ "Jimmy" Robertson; and his brother-in-law, Douglas Ziegler; and

WHEREAS, William Robertson is survived by his wife, Dolores; his children, Amy Ziegler, Holly Williams, and Brigadier General William (Sally) Robertson; his grandchildren, Katie (Kevin) Fuller, Douglas Bielenberg, Brooke Williams, Brent (Sarah Pacheco) Williams, James, David, and Elizabeth Robertson, Paige (Jodi Hoos) Ziegler, and Laine Ziegler; and 10 great-grandchildren; 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 C. "Corky" Robertson 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 Robertson as an expression of our deepest sympathy.