SR0749 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0749 LRB102 25029 MST 34287 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Dennis L. Wilson of Athens, who passed away on January 9, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Dennis Wilson was born in Springfield to Carl Leamon and Ora Pearl Boyer Wilson on July 7, 1950; he graduated from PORTA High School in 1968; he was drafted by the U.S. Army in 1969, and he served with the 82nd Airborne Division during the Vietnam War; he returned to Petersburg after his service; he married Rebecca "Becky" Aiken on October 13, 1973; and

WHEREAS, Dennis Wilson worked for the Illinois Department of Transportation/Division of Highways for 34 years and retired as a lead worker for Mason and Menard counties in 2008; he loved to tell the stories of plowing snow during the blizzards of the 1970s and 1980s, especially the one where he plowed the same snow from the same storm for weeks due to ever shifting winds; he could tell you how to get anywhere in the U.S. on any road and was always asked for directions anywhere he went, even if he had never been to the destination himself; and

WHEREAS, Dennis Wilson was extensively involved in the community over the years; he served as cubmaster for Athens Pack 52, as assistant scoutmaster for Athens Boy Scout Troop 52, and as unit commissioner for the Abraham Lincoln Council; while cubmaster, he was so successful in recruiting boys into the scouting program at one point that there were more boys in the school district in Scouts than not; he was also a member of Menard County American Legion Post #129 and served in a variety of positions; and

WHEREAS, Dennis Wilson loved traveling with his family and spending the winters in Arizona, visiting with his pals in the neighborhood; he was overjoyed when he reconnected with his high school buddy, John Boeker, and they attended drag races and car shows while continuing the over 50-year debate about Chevy versus Ford; he lived his life to be with his family and to take care of them; and

WHEREAS, Dennis Wilson was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Daniel Carl Wilson and Larry Wilson; his sister, Dixie Harris; and an infant sister, Mary Lorraine Wilson; and

WHEREAS, Dennis Wilson is survived by his wife, Becky; his daughter, Denelle "Deni" Wilson; his grandson, Connor Andrew "Andy" Wilson; Logan Dowell; his sisters, Clara Taylor and Helen Barbee; and his many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Dennis L. Wilson 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 Dennis Wilson as an expression of our deepest sympathy.