SR0334 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0334 LRB096 13343 KXB 28043 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of William Thomas "Bill" Ames of Barrington, who passed away on May 26, 2009; and

WHEREAS, He was born July 4, 1925, in Plainfield, New Jersey; he grew up in Niagara Falls, New York, and was the son of Oliver B. and Linda Hill Ames; in his younger days his nickname was Dick, and he had a love for big band music and was an avid saxophone player and had a band of his own; and

WHEREAS, He served three years in the United States Navy from 1943 to 1946; he sailed on the McCoy Reynolds DE-440 and was part of the crew's Sonar unit; along with his crew members, he helped his ship survive both a typhoon and a kamikaze strike; after graduating with a degree in industrial engineering from the University of Buffalo, he married the love of his life, Evelyn Zobel on July 26, 1952; and

WHEREAS, He worked in Chicago after moving to Illinois, and walked to the train station every day as part of his commute; he retired from Industrial Risk Insurers in 1987 and remained active in the community; he was a mainstay at the Barrington Historical Society, acting as building and grounds chairman, and taught a safe driving course held in Cuba Township; and

WHEREAS, He was a longtime member of the Barrington United Methodist Church, was a choir member for over 40 years, and was also chairman of the Columbarium Committee; he enjoyed home improvements, the beach, skiing, traveling, spending time with his family, dancing, was an avid golfer, and was one who would never pass on seconds of dessert; he was also a longtime precinct captain and former president of the Barrington Township Republican Organization; and

WHEREAS, William Thomas "Bill" Ames is survived by his wife of 56 years, Evelyn; his two sisters, Helen Glaze and Virginia Crozier; his children, Nancy (Richard) Saxton and Judith (Charles) Wooderson; his grandchildren, Jessica (Thomas) Craven and Eric Saxton; and his many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of William Ames; and be it further

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