TITLE: In memory of K. Roger Williams of Amarillo.

SUMMARY: In memory of K. Roger Williams of Amarillo.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The city of Amarillo lost an admired civic leader with the death of Keith Roger Williams on May 19, 2017, at the age of 65; and WHEREAS, The son of L. Keith and Bonnie Williams, Roger Williams was born on September 10, 1951, and grew up in Kansas City, Missouri; he completed both his bachelor's and master's degrees at Brigham Young University; and WHEREAS, Mr. Williams was the proud father of three children by his first marriage, Stewart, Marissa, and Marshall, and following his marriage to Ana Estevez on December 26, 2003, he welcomed two more children, Nikki and Alexis, into his treasured family; moreover, he took great delight in his role as grandfather to Bailee, Ethan, Kai, and Landree; and WHEREAS, The face of Bell Helicopter in the community, Mr. Williams was one of the first staff members at the plant when it opened; over the course of his long tenure, he served in a number of key roles, including site leader, director of administration, executive director, and head of human resources; he was a kind mentor to numerous colleagues, and he was known in the wider community for his leadership in charitable organizations; dedicated to the United Way of Amarillo and Canyon, he helped raise more than $5 million as co-chair of its 2008 annual campaign, and he served on the executive board for a dozen years; he was a member of many other nonprofit boards as well; and WHEREAS, Sustained by a profound faith, Mr. Williams was an active member of First Baptist Church, where he even helped out in the nursery; following his retirement in 2012, he became deeply involved in the church refugee programs and drove vans to bring ESL students to their classes at First Baptist; he also devoted considerable time, effort, and resources to help people in need in Haiti; an avid scholar and voracious reader, he studied a wide range of subjects; he also loved travel and music and was a great supporter of the Amarillo Symphony; and WHEREAS, The life of Roger Williams stands as an inspiring example of service to others, and though he will be deeply missed by those he has left behind, they will forever treasure their memories of his magnificent smile, sharp wit, and boundless generosity; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of K. Roger Williams and extend sincere sympathy to all who mourn his passing; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Roger Williams. Smithee Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 2725 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on May 29, 2017. Chief Clerk of the House