H.R. No. 164
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Family and friends will long cherish their memories
of Dortha Waddell Williamson of Junction, who passed away on
December 26, 2016, at the age of 93; and
WHEREAS, The ninth child of Kate Waddell and Elkin "Babe"
Waddell, the former Dortha Waddell was born on August 7, 1923, at
her family's ranch in Menard; she received her early education in
the one-room Waddell Schoolhouse and later continued her studies in
town, where she and her friends Doris Lankford and Reta Crowell
became known as the "Rat Pack"; and
WHEREAS, Shortly before the outbreak of World War II, she met
the love of her life, Loyd "Butch" Williamson, at a Race Meet dance
in Junction; the couple married on September 6, 1942, and went on to
share a rewarding union that spanned 54 years before
Mr. Williamson's passing in 1996; she was deeply devoted to her two
daughters, Delia and Rana, and to her surrogate sons, Adolfo,
Sergio, and Ivan Ponce; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Williamson operated Buster's Laundry and
Cleaners with her husband and took an active role in the community,
giving freely of her time and talents to the Business and
Professional Women's Club and the Texas Cattlewomen; moreover, she
served as Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 497
in Junction and as president of the Daedalian Study Club, which she
helped found; and
WHEREAS, A fifth-generation Texan, Mrs. Williamson took
tremendous pride in her family's history and often told stories
about her parents and her grandparents, Daniel and Georgeanne
Waddell and Alf and Charlcie Reeves; she was also an accomplished
horseback rider and had a passion for felines, pretty shoes, and
dancing; and
WHEREAS, Known for her warmth, her kindness, and her
resilience, Dortha Williamson led a caring and purposeful life, and
those who were fortunate enough to know her will forever hold her
close in their hearts; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Dortha Waddell
Williamson and extend deepest condolences to the members of her
family and to her friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Dortha
Waddell Williamson.
Murr
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 164 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on February 23, 2017.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House