Page 1 of 3
Regular Session, 2012 ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 29
BY SENATORS JOHN SMITH AND LONG AND REPRESENTATI VE HOWARD
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To commend and congratulate Robert Eugene "Bobby" Williams Jr. of Florien, Louisiana,
upon being named as the fifteenth honoree to be inducted into the prestigious
Sabine Hall of Fame on March 27, 2012.
WHEREAS, Bobby Williams is a business entrepreneur and a gracious servant of
the community who expresses gratitude for his good fortune by participation in all manner
of civic and economic development interests; and
WHEREAS, born in Leesville, on September 23, 1929, Bobby was the eldest child
of Robert Sr. and Rena Berel Williams and his birth coincided with the beginnings of the
Great Depression; and
WHEREAS, his family lived in a log cabin situated on the Mt. Carmel Cut-Off Road
with none of the modern amenities of electricity or running water, however with plenty of
love and lessons in self-reliance and thrift, the Williams Family survived the hard times; and
WHEREAS, Bobby attended public school and graduated from Florien High School,
Class of 1946, at the age of sixteen; and
WHEREAS, eager to make his fortune, he immediately enlisted in the United States
Army Air Corps and was soon honorably discharged when it was discovered that he was
under age; however, he enlisted again in the United States Army in 1951, served during the
Korean Conflict in a detachment that flew radio-controlled airplanes or drones; and after
receiving a second honorable discharge, he returned home; and
WHEREAS, knowing that an education was the firm foundation needed for growth,
Bobby obtained vocational skills in refrigeration, electronics, and appliance repair while on
the G.I. Bill, attended Northwestern State College, now known as Northwestern State
University, and taught electronics classes at Sabine Parish Vocational-Technical School; and
WHEREAS, his straight-forward approach and business savvy propelled him forward
in many successful endeavors; and SCR NO. 29 ENROLLED
Page 2 of 3
WHEREAS, in 1953, he began his career in earnest and for nearly sixty years
Bobby Williams has been at the center of numerous commercial ventures, Williams Brothers
Appliance Service, Inc., Wright Shopping Center, Sandy Hill Mall at Fort Polk, Jackson
Williams Water Well Services, Williams Bros. Drilling Company, Inc., Louisiana Hayride
Productions, National Affiliated Corporation, and National Investors Life Insurance
Company, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, Bobby Williams never lost his affection for aviation; as a licensed pilot,
he joined the Louisiana Wing of the Civil Air Patrol; he was a member of Aerial Search and
Rescue Operations for the United States Air Force and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel; and
he also serves on the Mayor's Committee for Hart Airport in the town of Many; and
WHEREAS, whether the economic times were "boom or bust", Bobby readily
performed his civic duty whenever and wherever possible; and
WHEREAS, Bobby Williams' public service began in 1964, when he was first
elected as alderman for the Village of Florien and also served as treasurer, then elected to
the Sabine Parish School Board in 1977 and served as its president in 1983-1984, named to
the Board of Directors of Sabine State Bank in 1989, and appointed to the Western Corridor
Commission and El Camino Real East/West Corridor Commission; and
WHEREAS, he continued to serve Sabine Parish as a longtime member of the
Chamber of Commerce, the Sabine River Authority, the Sabine River Compact
Administration, and the Sabine Parish Sales/Use Tax Commission; and
WHEREAS, Bobby Williams is a proud and valued member of the American Legion,
Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Korean Veterans, plus he is a member and the director of the
West Louisiana Veterans Park; and
WHEREAS, he is proud of his fraternal organization achievements as a 32nd degree
Mason, with service as Deputy Grand Master of the Eighth Masonic District of the Grand
Lodge of Louisiana and as a Shriner; and
WHEREAS, in 1953, Bobby married Lola Jean Lewing and together they have
celebrated fifty-nine years of love and devotion with their union blessed by the birth of five
children, sixteen grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Bobby Williams is a generous man possessing an abundance of interests SCR NO. 29 ENROLLED
Page 3 of 3
and skills who wears the mantle of community service proudly and willingly while
extending courtesy to all; and
WHEREAS, Bobby Williams is a capable and successful businessman, yet humbled
by the presence of God's grace in his life; and
WHEREAS, Bobby Williams is passionate about many things and is particularly
proud of the family-oriented businesses he developed from his own tenacity and hard work;
his continued success contributes greatly to the economic strength and well-being of his
community and the state of Louisiana.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
commend and congratulate Robert Eugene "Bobby" Williams Jr. upon his induction into the
Sabine Hall of Fame.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
acknowledge a life well spent in the service of his country, his community, and his God.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Robert Eugene "Bobby" Williams Jr.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES