SLS 22RS-4560 ORIGINAL
2022 Regular Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 219
BY SENATOR SMITH
CONDOLENCES. Expresses condolences upon the death of World War II veteran William
Warren Becknel Sr.
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
3 death of William Warren Becknel Sr.
4 WHEREAS, it is with great regret that the citizens of Louisiana have learned of the
5 death of William Warren Becknel Sr. at the age of ninety-six; and
6 WHEREAS, as part of the "Greatest Generation", Mr. Becknel honorably and
7 heroically served his country during World War II in the Pacific Theater as a member of the
8 United States Army Air Corps for which he received the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal;
9 and
10 WHEREAS, as part of his service during the war, Mr. Becknel was also awarded the
11 Bronze Star for heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, and
12 meritorious service in a combat zone; and
13 WHEREAS, Mr. Becknel continued his service to this country during the Korean
14 Conflict, until the time of his honorable discharge from the United States Air Force in 1951;
15 and
16 WHEREAS, despite his service in defeating Fascism and fighting the expansion of
17 Communism, Mr. Becknel returned home to the segregated South, where he continued a new
18 fight for civil rights; and
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SLS 22RS-4560 ORIGINAL
1 WHEREAS, Mr. Becknel was a founding member of the Friloux-Robinson American
2 Legion Post 509, in Ama, Louisiana; and
3 WHEREAS, he proudly served as 2nd District Area C Commander in the American
4 Legion; and
5 WHEREAS, Mr. Becknel was recently honored for his service to this country and
6 American Legion Post 509, along with his dear friend and fellow WWII veteran Irving
7 Pierre Sr.; and
8 WHEREAS, Mr. Becknel was preceded in death by his wife, Maudra E. James, and
9 daughter, Esther Cecile B. Holmes; and
10 WHEREAS, he is survived by sons, William Warren "Bubba" Becknel Jr. and
11 Kenneth C. Becknel, along with son-in-law Jonas Holmes Sr., nine grandchildren, eighteen
12 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.
13 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
14 does hereby respectfully acknowledge with gratitude the outstanding service and many
15 accomplishments of William Warren Becknel Sr. and does hereby extend sincere regrets and
16 condolences to his family on the occasion of his death.
17 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
18 William Warren "Bubba" Becknel Jr., Kenneth C. Becknel, and Jonas Holmes Sr.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Alan Miller.
DIGEST
SR 219 Original 2022 Regular Session Smith
Expresses condolences upon the death of William Warren Becknel Sr.
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