2022 First Extraordinary Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 8
BY SENATORS CATHEY, ABRAHAM, ALLAIN, BARROW, BERNARD,
BOUDREAUX, BOUIE, CLOUD, CONNICK, CORTEZ, FESI,
FIELDS, FOIL, HARRIS, HENRY, HENSGENS, HEWITT, JACKSON,
LAMBERT, LUNEAU, MCMATH, MILLIGAN, FRED MILLS,
ROBERT MILLS, MIZELL, MORRIS, PEACOCK, PETERSON, POPE,
PRICE, REESE, SMITH, STINE, TALBOT, TARVER, WARD, WHITE
AND WOMACK
A RESOLUTION
To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
passing of former Louisiana State Senator, Willie Eugean Crain Sr., to acknowledge
his lifelong commitment to public service, and to note his many contributions made
on behalf of the state of Louisiana.
WHEREAS, it is with great sorrow of spirits and sadness of hearts that the members
of the Louisiana Senate learned of the passing of former Louisiana State Senator Willie
Eugean Crain Sr., at the age of seventy-nine, on February 12, 2022; and
WHEREAS, the middle child of twelve children, Willie Crain was born on
November 7, 1942, to his loving parents, Edward, a farmer and Baptist preacher, and Gussie
Lee Crain; and
WHEREAS, he was a born leader and his achievements began at a young age; he was
the Captain of the Oak Grove Fighting Tigers football team, an All-District Linebacker, and
was named Mr. Oak Grove High School; and
WHEREAS, in addition to high school extracurricular activities, Willie Crain worked
for KWCL Radio Station in Oak Grove as a disc jockey, where he met the love of his life,
Dorothy Fuller; and
WHEREAS, after graduating from Oak Grove High School, Willie Crain married
Dorothy Fuller, enlisted in the United States Air Force, and moved across the globe to his
duty station in Pakistan to serve as a sergeant in the intelligence division; and
WHEREAS, while serving his country, he pursued higher education at Centenary
College, Louisiana Tech University, and Northeast Louisiana University, now known as the
University of Louisiana at Monroe; and
WHEREAS, Dorothy and Willie Crain eventually settled in Monroe, Louisiana,
where their five children were raised and he began his career in the automobile business, first
Page 1 of 3 SR NO. 8 ENROLLED
opening his own leasing company and then his own dealership, Crain
Chevrolet-Olds-Pontiac, in Rayville, Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, Willie Crain was an active member of his community and served
tirelessly for the benefit of others; and
WHEREAS, he was a member of the Scottish Rite and the Bayou Desiard Optimist
Club where he served as president; he was a longtime, faithful member of Lakeshore Baptist
Church where he taught Sunday School to the youth for many years; he also coached many
of his children's sports teams and proudly served as the NLU, now ULM, Athletic Booster
Club President and was a very colorful commentator for the football radio broadcast; and
WHEREAS, from his humble beginnings and throughout his life, Willie Crain's drive
to succeed was guided by his servant's heart; and
WHEREAS, his political career began when he was elected as a police juror for
Ouachita Parish, where he served as jury president, and during his tenure on the police jury,
he was responsible for creating the East Ouachita Recreation District and countless other
advancements for Ouachita Parish; and
WHEREAS, in 1988, Willie Crain became the Louisiana State Senator for District
33; he was a visionary and it was his thoughtfulness, intelligence, and charisma that helped
him successfully navigate the legislative process like no other at the time; and
WHEREAS, he served on several committees during his first term and as a freshman
senator was selected to be the chairman of the Senate Committee on Local and Municipal
Affairs; and
WHEREAS, Willie Crain was instrumental in enacting legislation that secured
funding for countless projects across the state, including the ULM Library, Forsythe
Extension, the Monroe-West Monroe Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Louisiana
Cotton Museum; and
WHEREAS, his influence while serving in the Senate was tremendous and he
cherished the honor of being selected "Legislator of the Year" on many occasions; and
WHEREAS, to put it simply, Willie Crain did a lot of good for a lot of people and
his positive impact on Louisiana, especially in Senate District 33, will be felt for generations
to come; and
Page 2 of 3 SR NO. 8 ENROLLED
WHEREAS, when his time in the Louisiana Senate came to an end, Willie Crain
founded Louisiana Consulting and Planning and worked diligently as a consultant to obtain
funding for municipalities and rural areas of Northeast Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, Willie Crain leaves behind an incredible legacy of a successful
businessman and devoted public servant, but his greatest legacy of all is his family to whom
he taught the importance of kindness, compassion, leadership, service, hard work, family,
and faith; and
WHEREAS, Willie Eugean Crain Sr. was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-two
years, Dorothy Fuller Crain; daughter, Traci Crain Cleveland; parents, Edward and Gussie
Lee Crain; brothers, Mack Crain and Frank Crain; sisters, Janett Wingo, and Linda Finley;
father- and mother-in-law, R.E. and Claudine Prine Fuller; brothers- and sister-in-law, Billy
Fuller, Clyde Fuller, and Jeanette Fuller Hale; and
WHEREAS, left to cherish his memory are his sons, Gene Crain and wife, Missy,
and Scott Crain and wife, Mandy; daughters, Tammy Crain Waldrop and Tana Higdon and
husband, Creg; son-in-law, David Cleveland; thirteen grandchildren; eleven
great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews; and
WHEREAS, Willie Crain was a loving father to Tammy Crain Waldrop, our friend
and Senate Researcher and special condolences are extended to Tammy and her family; and
WHEREAS, Willie Eugean Crain Sr. was larger than life and leaves behind a
tremendous legacy as a devoted family man, businessman, and public servant and he will be
forever missed by all those who knew and loved him.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby extend its deepest and most profound condolences to the family of Willie
Eugean Crain Sr., acknowledge his lifelong commitment to public service, and note his
many contributions made on behalf of the state of Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
family of Willie E. Crain Sr.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
Page 3 of 3