82R21816 MGR-D
By: Gallego H.R. No. 1497
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The family and friends of Willard Lowell Hendershott
of Alpine were greatly saddened by his passing on March 5, 2011, at
the age of 92; and
WHEREAS, Born on May 10, 1918, in Salina, Kansas, Willard
Hendershott graduated from high school in 1936 and then worked and
attended college; he entered the United States Army Air Corps in
1941, becoming a pilot, and served for more than four years during
World War II; responsible for ferrying aircraft from U.S. factories
to troops overseas in the European, Asiatic, and Pacific theaters,
he rose to the rank of major and received many honors, including the
American Defense Service Medal and the World War II Victory Medal,
before his discharge in 1946; and
WHEREAS, After the war, Mr. Hendershott was employed as a
pilot with Eastern Airlines and also purchased and operated an
avocado farm in Florida; following his retirement in 1975, he
traveled the country in his RV with his dog, and while on the way to
Big Bend National Park, he stopped in Alpine and fell in love with
the area; he sold his farm and moved to Alpine in 1990; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hendershott enjoyed woodworking and devoted
many hours to projects in his woodshop; an animal lover and
philanthropist, he supported numerous local and national
charities; and
WHEREAS, Willard Hendershott inspired others with his kind
and caring ways, and memories of time spent in his company will be
forever treasured by all those who were privileged to know him; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Willard Lowell
Hendershott and extend sincere sympathy to his loved ones; and, be
it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Willard
Lowell Hendershott.