TITLE: Recognizing William Terry on the occasion of his 95th birthday.

SUMMARY: Recognizing William Terry on the occasion of his 95th birthday.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The 95th birthday of an esteemed member of the Greatest Generation is truly cause for celebration, and William Terry of White Oak marked this significant milestone in his life on February 11, 2017; and WHEREAS, Born to Thomas and Zora Terry in Cisco in 1922, Bill Terry grew up with three siblings, Dorothy, Wanda, and Thomas; he served his country in the United States Navy from 1939 until 1945, participating in 13 landings and 18 shore bombardments; as a gunner's mate on the destroyer USS Reid,he survived both the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the sinking of his ship in the Philippines' Leyte Gulf following repeated kamikaze attacks; he was also deployed to Kiska, Nazan Bay, Guadalcanal, Lae, Finchaven, Arawe, Cape Gloucester, Cape Sudest, Cape Cretin, Saidor, Ataipe, Biak, Owi, Noemfoor, Wake, Tacloban, Ormoc, Wadke, Hollandia, and Los Negros; among other decorations, he received the Purple Heart; and WHEREAS, Mr. Terry married Alma Louise White in 1945, and they became the parents of two treasured sons, Stephen and Michael; following her untimely death in 1960, he was fortunate enough to find love a second time, and he and Marlena Morine Raley Smith were joined in matrimony on May 29, 1961; he welcomed into his family her six children, James, Patricia, Gary, Richard, Barbara, and Mollie, and today he also takes great pride in 19 grandchildren and more than 30 great-grandchildren; Mr. and Mrs. Terry shared a fulfilling relationship until her death in 2013; and WHEREAS, Until his retirement, Mr. Terry was employed by ExxonMobil; he is a valued member of White Oak United Methodist Church and a 32nd Degree Mason; over the years, he has shared his wartime experiences with many schoolchildren, offering them a personal link to a seminal era in our nation's history, and he has also granted newspaper and television interviews to provide perspective on Pacific Theater operations; and WHEREAS, Meeting life's challenges with resilience, optimism, and determination, Bill Terry is an inspiration to many people, and he holds a special place in the hearts of all who are privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th Legislature, hereby congratulate William Terry on his 95th birthday and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued happiness; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for Mr. Terry as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate. Hughes President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 28, 2017.