SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 659
In Memory
of
Billy Philip Arhos
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
commemorates the life of Billy Philip Arhos, who died April 11,
2015, at the age of 80; and
WHEREAS, Bill Arhos was born on November 3, 1934, in
Teague, to Philip and Helen Arhos; he grew up in Bryan, and he
graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in 1953; he attended
Rice University on a baseball and basketball scholarship and
received a bachelor of science degree; he earned a master of
education degree from Texas A&M University in 1960; and
WHEREAS, He taught in the Bryan public schools for a time
before taking a position in Austin to help establish a Public
Broadcasting Service television station, KLRU-TV; over the
course of his nearly 40-year career with the station, he served
in numerous capacities; he was senior producer, production
manager, vice president for programming, general manager, and
president; and
WHEREAS, In 1974, Mr. Arhos was instrumental in the
creation of the music television series Austin City Limits, and
he served as its executive producer for more than two decades;
the show has now run for 41 years and has received such
prestigious honors as the National Medal of Arts, the Peabody
Award, and the W. C. Handy Blues Award; he also produced other
television music specials and helped produce the Texas
Connection, a series which aired for four years on TNN; and
WHEREAS, He served on the boards of directors of the Public
Broadcasting Service and the Country Music Association, and he
received numerous honors, including a Distinguished Alumni Award
from Rice University and induction into the inaugural class of
the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame; upon his retirement, KLRU-TV
established an endowment in his name; and
WHEREAS, He was a man of courage and vision who was noted for
his warmth and charismatic personality; he lived his life to the
fullest and was beloved by his family and countless friends; and
WHEREAS, He was devoted to his three children, six
grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren, and he leaves
behind memories that will be cherished forever by all who were
privileged to share in his life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
family of Billy Philip Arhos; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
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 Billy Philip Arhos.
Watson
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on April 29, 2015, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate