SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 514
WHEREAS, The 95th birthday of an esteemed member of the
Greatest Generation is truly cause for celebration, and William
Terry of White Oak marked this significant milestone in his life
on February 11, 2017; and
WHEREAS, Born to Thomas and Zora Terry in Cisco in 1922,
Bill Terry grew up with three siblings, Dorothy, Wanda, and
Thomas; he served his country in the United States Navy from 1939
until 1945, participating in 13 landings and 18 shore
bombardments; as a gunner's mate on the destroyer USS Reid, he
survived both the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the sinking of his
ship in the Philippines' Leyte Gulf following repeated kamikaze
attacks; he was also deployed to Kiska, Nazan Bay, Guadalcanal,
Lae, Finchaven, Arawe, Cape Gloucester, Cape Sudest, Cape
Cretin, Saidor, Ataipe, Biak, Owi, Noemfoor, Wake, Tacloban,
Ormoc, Wadke, Hollandia, and Los Negros; among other
decorations, he received the Purple Heart; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Terry married Alma Louise White in 1945, and
they became the parents of two treasured sons, Stephen and Allen;
following her untimely death in 1960, he was fortunate enough to
find love a second time, and he and Marlena Morine Raley Smith were
joined in matrimony on May 29, 1961; he welcomed into his family her
six children, James, Patricia, Gary, Richard, Barbara, and Mollie,
and today he also takes great pride in 19 grandchildren and more
than 30 great-grandchildren; Mr. and Mrs. Terry shared a fulfilling
relationship until her death in 2013; and
WHEREAS, Until his retirement, Mr. Terry was employed by
ExxonMobil; he is a valued member of White Oak United Methodist
Church and a 32nd Degree Mason; over the years, he has shared his
wartime experiences with many schoolchildren, offering them a
personal link to a seminal era in our nation's history, and he has
also granted newspaper and television interviews to provide
perspective on Pacific Theater operations; and
WHEREAS, Meeting life's challenges with resilience,
optimism, and determination, Bill Terry is an inspiration to many
people, and he holds a special place in the hearts of all who are
privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th
Legislature, hereby congratulate William Terry on his 95th
birthday and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued
happiness; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
Mr. Terry as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.
Hughes
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 28, 2017.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate