HR0317 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0317 LRB095 11915 KXB 35168 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of William "Skip" Dempsey of Decatur, who passed away on April 13, 2007; and

WHEREAS, William Dempsey was born August 27, 1945, in Bel Air, Maryland, the son of William H. and Audrey N. (Proffitt) Dempsey; he later married Carla Ann Patterson on April 22, 1966, in Toledo; and

WHEREAS, William Dempsey was an instructor at Purdue University from 1974 to 1984; he also served as Training Coordinator for Plumbers and Steamfitters Local #65, from 1975 to 1987 and then continued as a Business Agent from 1988 until his retirement in 2002; and

WHEREAS, William Dempsey accepted a position with the Illinois Department of Revenue, serving in the area of labor relations for 2 1/2 years; he was Past President of the Decatur Building and Construction Trades Educational Planning Committee for Decatur Public Schools District 61, a member of the Decatur Public Building Commission, a Past President of the Decatur Building and Construction Trades Council, a Past President of Decatur Trades and Labor, a Board Member of the United Way of Decatur and Macon County, and a Co-Chairman of the Decatur Area Labor Management Committee and Steering Committee of Decatur Advantage; and

WHEREAS, William Dempsey enjoyed wood carving, Ducks Unlimited, assisting with his grandchildren's interests, local racing, and NASCAR; and

WHEREAS, William "Skip" Dempsey was preceded in death by his Dad, Wilbur Redman, who raised him; his brother, Donald Wayne Redman; and his step-father, Donald Geddes; and

WHEREAS, William "Skip" Dempsey is survived by his wife, Carla; his mother, Audrey Geddes; his father, William H. Dempsey; his daughter, Melissa (husband, Craig) Duff; his sons Shawn Dempsey and Patrick (companion, Theresa) Dempsey; his sisters Mary Jo (husband, Mike) Brace and Linda Orr; his grandchildren, Justin, Blane, Riley, Drake, Jaret, Halee, Kendra, and Winston; his nieces, Jennifer, Tracy, Molly, Katie, Claire, Jenny, and Jylna; and his Aunts Ruby, Irene, and Pauline; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of William "Skip" Dempsey; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of William "Skip" Dempsey as a symbol of our sympathy.