85R16577 BK-D
By: Wu H.R. No. 948
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A life marked by tremendous courage and resolve came
to an untimely end with the passing of William Dowling, a former
captain in the Houston Fire Department, on March 7, 2017, at the age
of 43; and
WHEREAS, Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on March 14, 1973,
Bill Dowling was the son of Mary and Rick Dowling; he moved with his
family to Texas in his youth and graduated from Klein Oak High
School in Spring in 1993; after joining the United States Marine
Corps, he advanced to the rank of corporal and served in a number of
locations, including Somalia, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia; his
military awards included a Combat Action Ribbon, a Good Conduct
Medal, a Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, a National Defense
Service Medal, a Southwest Asia Service Medal, and a Sea Service
Deployment Ribbon; and
WHEREAS, Imbued with a passion for public service, Bill
Dowling pursued a career as a firefighter after returning to
civilian life; he joined the Champions Fire Department and then, in
2000, the Houston Fire Department, where he rose through the ranks
while working in some of the city's busiest stations; his years on
the job were made all the more fulfilling by the strong bond of
camaraderie that he shared with his brothers and sisters in
uniform; and
WHEREAS, Captain Dowling demonstrated the true depth of his
commitment to duty as one of the first responders who were called to
battle a massive five-alarm fire at the Southwest Inn on May 31,
2013, the deadliest day in the history of the Houston Fire
Department; when the roof of the hotel collapsed, he lost four of
his comrades and sustained life-altering injuries, which forced him
to retire from the career he loved; and
WHEREAS, This inspiring Texan earned the nickname "Iron Bill"
during his long, valiant effort to recover in the four years after
he left the department; he drew comfort and encouragement from the
love of his wife of 23 years, Jacki, and their treasured children,
Forrest, Faith, and Foster; in the course of his struggles, his
faith became a guiding light, and he took pride in having read every
page of the Bible; and
WHEREAS, Captain Bill Dowling found his purpose in serving a
cause greater than himself, and when tragedy cast a shadow over his
future, his determination and bravery in fighting back captured the
hearts of countless people; he will be greatly missed by his family,
friends, and former colleagues, who will never forget his sacrifice
or the extraordinary strength of character that defined his life;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of William Dowling 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 adjourns this day, it do so in memory of William
Dowling.