SR0801 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0801 LRB097 21793 GRL 70361 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Bobby Lee Weatherford of Litchfield, who passed away on May 25, 2012; and

WHEREAS, Bobby Weatherford was born on November 1, 1928, in North Litchfield Township; he was the son of Glenn Preston "Spot" and Essie Mae (Hurtt) Weatherford; he married the former Lois Aileen Greenwalt on December 4, 1949, at the First Baptist Church in Litchfield; and

WHEREAS, Bobby Weatherford was a lifelong farmer; he was well known in the standardbred horse breeders circle; he started as a young man in pony pulls before entering into the pony harness racing circuits in 1964; he eventually entered into standardbred trotters and pacers circuits at various venues throughout the Midwest, which he did until he was forced to retire by State law at the age of 62; he was also involved with breeding and training of standardbred horses at his farm in Hornsby throughout his 48-year career; and

WHEREAS, Bobby Weatherford was the owner and operator of the Weatherford Freeway service station at the northeast corner of West Illinois Route 16 and U.S. Route 66 from 1971 until 1978; after selling his business, he went to work at the Illinois Department of Transportation highway maintenance depot in Litchfield, where he remained until his retirement in 1995 as Lead Worker; and

WHEREAS, Bobby Weatherford was the recipient of several awards in the winners circle for both driving and as a breeder; and

WHEREAS, Bobby Weatherford was a member of the First Baptist Church of Litchfield; he was also a life member of Mt. Moriah Lodge #51 A.F. & A.M. and St. Omar Commandry #30 - Knights Templar in Hillsboro, a Past Master of the former Litchfield Lodge #236 A.F. & A.M., and a member of the Ansar Shrine - Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of Springfield, the Lavonne Chapter #55 Order of the Eastern Star, and the U.S. Trotting Association; and

WHEREAS, Bobby Weatherford was preceded in death by his wife, Lois, and his parents; and

WHEREAS, Bobby Weatherford is survived by his daughters, Marilyn (Jan) Gunderson and Joyce Weatherford; his grandchildren, Janna (Bret) Garness, Melissa Knippel (fiance, James Pellizzaro), and Bryan Knippel; his great-grandchildren, Garret and Kaylie Loomis and Taylor Garness; and his brother, Glenn Weatherford; therefore, be it

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

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Bobby Weatherford as an expression of our sympathy.