SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 161
In Memory
of
Bill Bailey
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the citizens
of Houston in mourning the loss of Bill Bailey, who died July 27,
2017; and
WHEREAS, Bill Bailey was an exemplary citizen who was
widely respected and admired for his work in the community, both
as Precinct 8 constable in Harris County and as the longtime
voice of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo; and
WHEREAS, Born Milton Odom Stanley in 1939, Bill Bailey
attended Texas Western College for a time before beginning a long
and successful career in radio broadcasting; he assumed the name
Bill Bailey after accepting a disc jockey position that had been
promoted with the song Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home,
and he eventually took the name as his own; and
WHEREAS, He became a nationally prominent figure in the
country music scene and won numerous awards for his work, including
Billboard magazine's 1970 Country Radio Program Director of the
Year and the Country Music Association's 1979 Large Market Disc
Jockey of the Year; he was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of
Fame in 2009 and the Country Radio Broadcasters Hall of Fame in
2010; and
WHEREAS, He was elected Precinct 8 constable in 1982 and
served with distinction for seven terms; his office provided
exceptional support to the Johnson Space Center, and the Precinct
8 constable's office is the only police agency in the country
with a NASA-designed Astronaut Support patch for deputies and
vehicles; Constable Bailey received the NASA Medal for Outstanding
Public Service, the agency's highest civilian award; and
WHEREAS, Bill Bailey was active in a wide range of
professional and civic organizations; he served as president of
the Justices of the Peace and Constables Association of Texas and
the Texas Association of Counties, and he participated with
energy and devotion in such groups as the Pasadena Rotary Club,
the Salvation Army, the YMCA, the San Jacinto College Foundation,
and local chambers of commerce and school district education
foundations, all of which he enriched with his enthusiasm for
doing good; he was an active member of South Main Baptist Church
in Pasadena and a 32nd degree Mason; and
WHEREAS, He and his beloved wife of more than 40 years,
Janis Bailey, were blessed with four children and numerous
grandchildren and great-grandchildren who brought him great
joy; and
WHEREAS, Bill Bailey was a man of integrity, strength, and
compassion who gave generously to others, and his exceptional
accomplishments and his many contributions to his community have
had a positive impact that will last for years to come; and
WHEREAS, He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather,
and he leaves behind memories that will be treasured forever by
his family and countless friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby extend sincere condolences
to the bereaved family of Bill Bailey; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas
Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in
memory of Bill Bailey.
Taylor of Galveston
Bettencourt Garcia Miles Bettencourt Garcia Miles
Bettencourt Garcia Miles
Creighton Huffman Whitmire Creighton Huffman Whitmire
Creighton Huffman Whitmire
Kolkhorst Kolkhorst
Kolkhorst
Patrick, President of the Senate
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on August 15, 2017, by
a rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate
Bettencourt Garcia Miles
Creighton Huffman Whitmire
Kolkhorst