HR0494 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0494 LRB094 12401 CSA 46873 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives were saddened to learn of the death of Willie Jewel Jackson-Hill of Chicago on May 5, 2005; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Hill was born November 23, 1918, in Birmingham, Alabama, the son of Sarah Arline Jackson and Willie Jackson; his mother later married Willie Hill; his mother was an evangelist and instilled in him his religious beliefs; and

WHEREAS, He received his formal education in Birmingham, Alabama, and Chicago; he furthered his education in the study of electricity; and

WHEREAS, In 1983, he married Emma Jean "Lil" Brandon in Chicago; to this union, he lovingly embraced five step-children; "Lil" was very strong in politics and that was the beginning of his political interest; he became secretary of his union at U.S. Steel; and

WHEREAS, He was employed as a police officer with the City of Chicago; after leaving the police department, he was employed by U.S. Steel until he retired; he re-entered the workforce as a security guard for the City of Chicago and then for A.R. Security; and

WHEREAS, He was a very determined and interesting man who lived his life to its fullest; he loved traveling and also loved fishing, family gatherings, and politics; he was fondly referred to as "Sugarman", "Bill", or "Ghost" by his family, friends, and co-workers; and

WHEREAS, He worked with and was known by many politicians such as NewHouser, Judge Medford, Brookins, Stroger, Niles Sherman, Dorothy Tillman, Barack Obama, the late Harold Washington, Monique D. Davis, and many others; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his parents and his stepson, Franklin D. Brandon; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Willie Hill is felt by all who knew and loved him, especially his wife, Emma; his children, Wonzolyn (Leonard) Henderson, Cylvia Brandon Grigsby, Lawerencre D. Brandon, and Elick B. Brandon; his grandchildren, Kisa McDonald, Lequesha Brandon, Robert Grigsby, Pnina Brandon-Cannon, Elecka Brandon, Frankie Brandon, Dante Henderson, and Hiramabiff Brandon; his great-grandchildren, Kennedy J. Clay and Noah and Nolan Cannon; his first cousins, Laverne Brown and Ancel J. Rogers; and a host of other relatives and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Willie Jewel Jackson-Hill and extend to his family and friends our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time; and be it further

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