SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 511
In Memory
of
William McKinley Thacker Jr.
WHEREAS, Family and friends will long cherish their
memories of William McKinley Thacker Jr. of Wichita Falls, who
passed away on September 6, 2018, at the age of 94; and
WHEREAS, The son of Iva Wooten Thacker and William McKinley
Thacker Sr., Bill Thacker was born in Austin on March 13, 1924; he
attended Wichita Falls High School and interrupted his education
at The University of Texas at Austin to serve in the European
theater during World War II; as a gunner with the Eighth Air
Force, he flew 30 missions on a B-17; he received a Bronze Star
with three oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal, and the
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and on November
11, 2016, he was awarded the French Legion of Honor; and
WHEREAS, After the war, Mr. Thacker completed both his
bachelor's degree in business administration and his law degree
at The University of Texas at Austin, and he began his career as
an assistant district attorney for Wichita County; in 1953, he
married Jan Tydings, and they were blessed with three sons,
Billy, Ty, and Jeff; that same year, Mr. Thacker also joined an
oil and gas company, Fain and McGaha, where he developed a love of
the industry and a strong sense of civic responsibility; in 1990,
he and his son, Ty, established 3-T Exploration, and he served as
its general counsel for the rest of his life; he was also the
founder and principal owner of 5-T Properties, a family
partnership; benefiting his profession, he was president of the
North Texas Oil & Gas Association, and he served as vice
president of the Texas Oil & Gas Association from 1972 until his
death; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Thacker shared a rewarding marriage of 49
years with his first wife until her passing, in 2002; fortunate
enough to find love a second time, he wed Pat Morrison in 2005,
and with the passing years, his family grew to include five
grandchildren, Thomas, Sadie, Kagen, Olivia, and McKinley, and a
great-grandson, Tydings; a man of faith, Mr. Thacker served
First United Methodist Church in numerous capacities; he was a
leader in scouting as well, serving as president of the Northwest
Texas Council of Boy Scouts of America, and in 2018, when he
received the 50-Year Veteran Award, he was recognized as Chief
Scout of the council; moreover, the main entrance to Camp Perkins
was named Thacker Way in his honor; and
WHEREAS, A kind, humble, and caring man, Bill Thacker was
deeply devoted to his family, his community, and his country, and
he is remembered with admiration and affection by all who were
privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th
Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the life of William McKinley
Thacker Jr. and extend sincere condolences to his loved ones;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns
this day, it do so in memory of Bill Thacker.
Fallon
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 27, 2019, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate