SR0563 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0563 LRB093 22293 KEF 51353 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois were saddened to learn of the death of William J. "Billy" Stone of Germantown Hills on May 16, 2004; and

WHEREAS, William Stone was born on October 25, 1925, in Springfield to William and Helen Martin Stone, he married Doris I. Richard on July 12, 1946, in San Angelo, Texas; she died on September 20, 1992, in Peoria; he later married Esther B. Kasel on December 31, 1997, in Eureka; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Stone was a World War II Navy veteran, serving 2 1/2 years in the Pacific Theater aboard the USS Woodworth DD460; and

WHEREAS, He received a bachelor's degree in 1949 and a master's degree in 1957 from Bradley University, where he participated in track, football, and baseball and received the award of "Outstanding Halfback in the Midwest"; he later played football professionally for six seasons; from 1949 to 1950, he played for the Baltimore Colts, where he received the Rookie of the Year award in the All American Football Conference; he then joined the Chicago Bears under George Halas from 1951 to 1954; as a versatile professional, he scored 31 career touchdowns, and gained 4,283 total yards, rushing, receiving, returning kick-offs, and punts; he also intercepted 11 passes playing defensive halfback; and

WHEREAS, Retiring from the National Football League in 1955, he returned to Bradley to coach the Braves football team from 1955 to 1970; and

WHEREAS, He served Bradley as an assistant athletic director, intramural director, teacher, department head, and golf coach along with some fund-raising before retiring on May 3, 1984; he received emeritus status at Bradley; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Stone was recognized in 1950 in the Bradley Hall of Fame; he was also a charter member of the Greater Peoria Hall of Fame and the Springfield Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, He was a member of the Chief Club, Peoria Elks Lodge 20, and the Alumni B Club; he served for six years as a volunteer at Methodist Medical Center and served as a trustee for the Peoria Park District Board from 1975 to 1978 and from 1983 to 1986; and

WHEREAS, The passing of William Stone will be deeply felt by all who knew and loved him, especially his son, William Jr. (and Francina); his daughter, Laurie (and Ron) Edwards; his three stepsons, Doug Kasel, Greg Kasel, and David Kasel; his three stepdaughters, Melissa Kasel, Susan McMorrow, and Cheryl Davies; his granddaughter; his eight step-grandchildren; and his two great-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his first wife, he was preceded in death by one brother; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the death of William J. "Billy" Stone along with all who knew and loved him and extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends; and be it further

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