H.C.R. No. 62
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The passing of William Parks Johnson on January 1,
2017, at the age of 93, has brought great sorrow to his loved ones
and neighbors in the city of Wimberley, where he was greatly admired
for his extraordinary generosity and kindness; and
WHEREAS, Bill Johnson was born in Houston in 1923 to Louise
Johnson and Parks Johnson, whose career in radio took the family to
nearly every state and another dozen countries during Bill's
childhood; after graduating from high school, he enrolled at The
University of Texas but interrupted his education to join the U.S.
Marine Corps when the United States entered World War II; as a first
lieutenant, he fought with his regiment in the Battle of Iwo Jima,
until being wounded and forced to return home with an honorable
discharge; and
WHEREAS, Resuming his studies at UT, Mr. Johnson pursued a
degree in geology and competed in swimming, serving as captain of
multiple conference championship swim teams; in 1947, following his
graduation, he married the love of his life, the former Mary Frances
Brown, with whom he shared a rewarding union that spanned nearly
seven decades; the couple moved to his family's ranch in Wimberley
and went on to raise five children, Lynn, Jock, Clay, Blake, and
Scott; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson first attempted to make a living through
ranching before taking a job as director of a start-up summer camp
under his old swimming coach; the environment at Camp Longhorn
proved to be an ideal fit for him, and he showed a special knack for
finding solutions to problems and a stubborn resistance to giving
up until a solution was found; he retired as camp director in 1978,
having left an indelible mark on the lives of many campers and
counselors, to whom he was always there to provide encouragement
and a sympathetic ear; and
WHEREAS, A proud resident of Wimberley for the better part of
a century, Mr. Johnson served as a longtime leader in the chamber of
commerce and as a founding member of Cypress Creek Church, and he
also dedicated a great deal of time to collecting and publishing
information about Wimberley history; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the course of his life, Bill Johnson
seldom hesitated to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it, and
those he leaves behind will forever find inspiration in their
memories of his unfailing compassion, integrity, and friendship;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 85th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby pay tribute to the life of William Parks Johnson and extend
sincere condolences to all those who mourn his passing; 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 and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory of
Bill Johnson.
Isaac
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 62 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on March 16, 2017.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 62 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the Senate on March 29, 2017.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor