HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 12

(By Delegates Romine, A. Evans, Azinger, Ashley

and Ireland on Behalf of All Members of the House)

Memorializing the life of the Honorable James E. “Jimmy” Willison, veteran, lay minister, and public servant.

    Whereas, Jimmy Willison was born on November 12, 1925, in Benwood, Marshall County, West Virginia, the son of the late Chalmers and Hattie Wilcox; and

    Whereas, Jimmy Willison was a graduate of Sistersville High School and a past president of the Sistersville High School Alumni Association, and also attended Mountain State Business College; and

    Whereas, Jimmy Willison was a U. S. Army Veteran of World War II and a 23 year Tyler County Assessor; and

     Whereas, Jimmy Willison was first elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates representing Tyler and Doddridge counties in 1988 and reelected for five consecutive terms. During his service in the Legislature, Jimmy was instrumental in securing grants for the funding of many worthwhile projects in Tyler and Doddridge counties including Sistersville General Hospital, emergency services, senior citizen centers, the Sistersville Ferry, and the North Central Regional Jail; and

    Whereas, Following his service in the House of Delegates, Jimmy was appointed to several state boards and commissions; and

    Whereas, Jimmy Willison was the cofounder of the Sistersville Little League and procured the first lighted field in the area. In addition, he served as a West Virginia Secondary Schools Athletic Conference referee for 22 years; and

    Whereas, Jimmy Willison was a Christian by faith and a member of the Sistersville Lions Club, VFW Post 6327, BPOE No. 333, and the former owner and operator of the Sistersville City News; and

    Whereas, Jimmy Willison was married to Margaret Spangler Willison and they were the proud parents of a son, Jimmy, and a daughter, Jo Lynn, and the loving grandparents of three grandchildren and four great grandchildren; and

    Whereas, Sadly, the Honorable James E. Willison passed away on Sunday, November 24, 2013; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the House of Delegates of the West Virginia Legislature:

    That the House of Delegates hereby memorializes the life of the Honorable James E. Willison, veteran, lay minister and public servant; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the House of Delegates hereby extends its sincere sympathy at the passing of the Honorable James E. Willison; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a copy of this resolution to the family of the Honorable James E. Willison.