TITLE: In memory of Mark Allen McWilliams.

SUMMARY: In memory of Mark Allen McWilliams.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Words cannot express the sorrow felt by family and friends at the loss of the Reverend Mark Allen McWilliams of Starrville Methodist Church, who died on January 3, 2021, at the age of 62; and WHEREAS, Mark McWilliams was born in Amarillo on May 17, 1958, and in 1976, he graduated from Amarillo High School, where he was a member of the wrestling team; he went on to work for 20 years at the U.S. Department of Energy's Pantex Plant in Amarillo; and WHEREAS, A man of deep religious conviction, Mr. McWilliams was licensed as a minister by the International Ministerial Fellowship, and after his retirement from Pantex, he became a hospice chaplain in Bullhead City, Arizona; over the years, he also preached at several churches in Amarillo, including Ministerios La Cosecha; in addition, he and his wife, Rosemary, were members and prayer ministers at Trinity Fellowship Church; and WHEREAS, In 2017, Pastor McWilliams and his wife moved to East Texas, and in June 2019, he was called to become the pastor of Starrville Methodist Church, where he also started a weekly community prayer service; he tragically lost his life defending his congregation from an intruder; and WHEREAS, Mark McWilliams lived a rich and purposeful life dedicated to his faith, and although he was taken much too soon, he leaves behind a legacy of service that will continue to inspire all those who knew and loved him; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 87th Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the memory of Mark Allen McWilliams and extend heartfelt sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife, Rosemary; to his brother, Laine McWilliams; to his niece and nephew, Alyssa Jenkins and Dustin McWilliams; and to his great-niece, Makala Robertson; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Mark Allen McWilliams. Hughes President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 9, 2021, by a rising vote.