SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 161
In Memory
of
Foy Wallace Watson, Jr.
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the
citizens of Austin in mourning the loss of one of our most beloved
legislative employees, Foy Wallace Watson, Jr., who died October
30, 2010, at the age of 84; and
WHEREAS, Born October 7, 1926, in Waco, Foy Watson was a
member of "The Greatest Generation" and was a true military hero
who served during World War II and received a Purple Heart and two
battle stars; and
WHEREAS, After the war, he married his longtime
sweetheart, Bernadine, and embarked on a successful career as a
revenue officer with the Internal Revenue Service; following his
retirement, he went on to earn the designation of Texas Master
Florist; and
WHEREAS, Foy Watson joined the Texas Senate in 1997 and
served with distinction as an Assistant Senate Doorkeeper over
the course of seven regular legislative sessions and numerous
special sessions; as the operator of the elevator behind the
Senate Chamber, he was treasured by senators and their staff for
the individual attention he gave to all who passed his way, as
well as for his obvious good nature and his positive outlook on
life; and
WHEREAS, During Mr. Watson's longtime Senate service, his
affable personality endeared him to all who walked the Capitol
halls, and his dedication, generosity, and exemplary work ethic
will long be remembered; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Watson was a life member of the Veterans of
Foreign Wars and the American Legion; he was a 32nd-degree
Scottish Rite Mason, an active member of Hill City Lodge 456, and
a noble of the Ben Hur Shrine Temple; he was a devout Christian
and a member of Crestview Baptist Church, where he served as a
deacon and was treasurer for more than 35 years; and
WHEREAS, An exemplary gentleman in every way, Foy Watson
loved his work, his state, and his country; he was a devoted
husband, father, and grandfather, and he leaves behind memories
that will be treasured forever by all who worked with him and by
his family and many friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
family of Foy Wallace Watson, Jr.: his loving and devoted wife of
63 years, Bernadine Gummelt Watson; his children and their spouses,
Foy Watson III and his wife, Gloria, Richard Watson and his wife,
Debbie, and Cindy Constantine and her husband, Kim; his brother,
Tom Watson; his sister, Rose Summers; and his nine grandchildren
and 12 great-grandchildren; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a plaque bearing the name of Foy Wallace
Watson, Jr., be placed in the Senate elevator in honor and in
memory of this exceptional legislative employee and patriotic
citizen; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
the members of his family as an expression of deepest sympathy
from the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this
day, it do so in memory of Foy Wallace Watson, Jr.
Eltife
Birdwell Hegar Seliger Birdwell Hegar Seliger
Birdwell Hegar Seliger
Carona Hinojosa Shapiro Carona Hinojosa Shapiro
Carona Hinojosa Shapiro
Davis Huffman Uresti Davis Huffman Uresti
Davis Huffman Uresti
Deuell Jackson Van de Putte Deuell Jackson Van de Putte
Deuell Jackson Van de Putte
Duncan Lucio Watson Duncan Lucio Watson
Duncan Lucio Watson
Ellis Nelson Wentworth Ellis Nelson Wentworth
Ellis Nelson Wentworth
Estes Nichols West Estes Nichols West
Estes Nichols West
Fraser Ogden Whitmire Fraser Ogden Whitmire
Fraser Ogden Whitmire
Gallegos Patrick Williams Gallegos Patrick Williams
Gallegos Patrick Williams
Harris Rodriguez Zaffirini Harris Rodriguez Zaffirini
Harris Rodriguez Zaffirini
Dewhurst, President of the Senate
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on February 1, 2011, by
a rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate
Birdwell Hegar Seliger
Carona Hinojosa Shapiro
Davis Huffman Uresti
Deuell Jackson Van de Putte
Duncan Lucio Watson
Ellis Nelson Wentworth
Estes Nichols West
Fraser Ogden Whitmire
Gallegos Patrick Williams
Harris Rodriguez Zaffirini