H.R. No. 1875
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A life rich with purpose has drawn to a close with
the death of U.S. Army Colonel (Ret.) Roy W. Burley Sr. of San
Antonio on April 20, 2017, at the age of 93; and
WHEREAS, Roy Burley was born in Hallettsville on October 29,
1923, to Robert Burley and Beatrice Woodard; after graduating from
Phillis Wheatley High School in San Antonio in 1940, he attended
Prairie View A&M College until he was called to active duty in the
U.S. Army in May 1943; he was among an elite group of African
Americans who took part in the Army Specialized Training Program at
Howard University, and he was commissioned as a second lieutenant
in December 1944; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of his distinguished 30-year
military career, Colonel Burley served in World War II, the Korean
War, and the Vietnam War, in duty assignments ranging from platoon
leader to brigade commander and high-level staff posts; he attended
the Command and General Staff College and the Army War College,
earned bachelor's degrees from the University of Nebraska and
Prairie View A&M, and studied at The University of Texas at San
Antonio; Roy Burley retired from active duty in 1973 as chief of the
ROTC Division, Fifth Army Headquarters; his numerous military
awards include the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, the
Bronze Star, and the Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf
clusters; and
WHEREAS, In civilian life, Colonel Burley served the San
Antonio community as a member of the University Health System Board
of Managers, as executive coordinator of a job-training partnership
between the San Antonio Alliance of Business and the Private
Industry Council, and as executive director of the Bexar County
Opportunities Industrialization Center; he also served as director
of personnel at USAA and, for eight years, as executive assistant to
State Representative Lou Nelle Sutton; and
WHEREAS, Colonel Burley and his college sweetheart, Lillian
Snow, shared a rewarding marriage that spanned 72 years; the proud
father of four children, Roy, Ronald, Nan, and Joan, this esteemed
Texan was blessed later in life with six grandchildren and four
great-grandchildren; he was an active member of the United
Methodist Men and of the Prometheans, the veterans association of
those soldiers who trained together at Howard University during
World War II; and
WHEREAS, Deeply devoted to his family and his community, Roy
Burley made a difference in many lives, and his record of integrity,
service to others, and dedication to duty will continue to inspire
all those who knew and loved him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Colonel (Ret.) Roy
W. Burley Sr. and extend heartfelt sympathy to his family and many
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 Roy Burley
Sr.
Gervin-Hawkins
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1875 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on May 11, 2017.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House