H.R. No. 2902
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The citizens of Amarillo lost an esteemed business
leader and philanthropist with the death of B. T. Ware II on May 12,
2014, at the age of 95; and
WHEREAS, Born on November 10, 1918, "Tol" Ware graduated from
Amarillo High School in 1936 and went on to attend The University of
Texas at Austin; during World War II, he served in the U.S. Army,
where he was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant; and
WHEREAS, The Ware family has owned Amarillo National Bank for
more than 100 years, and Tol Ware played an important role in
bringing two industry firsts to Texas: drive-up teller service in
1950 and an automated teller machine in 1978; he and his sons,
Richard and Bill, were named Bankers of the Century by Texas Monthly
in 1999, and Amarillo National Bank is thought to be one of the
largest 100 percent family-owned banks in the country; Mr. Ware was
especially pleased to have fourth and fifth generations of his
family working alongside him at the bank and serving on the board of
directors, which he chaired; and
WHEREAS, Extensively engaged in civic endeavors, Mr. Ware was
a prolific fund-raiser who gave generously of his time and
resources to worthy causes; he was instrumental in the
establishment of the Ware Tower at BSA Hospital, the Ware Living
Center at Park Central, and Tol Ware Park at Citychurch, and he
supported many other charitable organizations behind the scenes;
and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ware shared 68 rewarding years of marriage with
his wife, Mary, until her passing in 2011, and he took immense pride
in their two sons as well as in their six grandchildren and eight
great-grandchildren; a lifelong member of Polk Street United
Methodist Church, he derived great satisfaction in attending
services each Sunday with his family; in his leisure time, he
enjoyed walking his dogs and swimming; he was also an avid tennis
player for some 65 years, and he helped establish the Tennis Center
at Austin Middle School, the indoor courts at the Amarillo Country
Club, T Bar M, and Amarillo National Tennis Center; and
WHEREAS, Tol Ware earned the admiration of all who knew him,
not only for his success as a businessman but for his exceptional
kindness and generosity, and he leaves behind a legacy that will
resonate in the Amarillo community for years to come; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of B. T. Ware II and
extend deepest sympathy to the members of his family: to his son,
Richard Ware; to his grandchildren, Anne-Clayton Vroom, William,
Pat, Benj, and W. Tol Ware, and Savannah Singleton; to his eight
great-grandchildren; and to his other relatives and friends; 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 Tol Ware.
Price
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2902 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on May 30, 2015.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House