H.R. No. 1150
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A life made rich through meaningful service drew to
a close with the passing of William Ryle Edwards Jr. of Corpus
Christi on March 13, 2023, at the age of 91; and
WHEREAS, The son of Catherine and William Edwards, Bill
Edwards was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, on August 25, 1931, and
he grew up in Virginia with the companionship of his brother, Jack;
he graduated from Staunton Military Academy and went on to receive
both his bachelor's degree and his law degree from the University of
Virginia; a talented diver, he won the Virginia title for low-board
diving and the Amateur Athletic Union state championship for
high-board diving; in 1953, he joined the U.S. Army; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Edwards moved to Texas to embark on his legal
career, joining the firm of Baker Botts in Houston; shortly
thereafter, he relocated to Corpus Christi and eventually opened
his own personal injury practice, The Edwards Law Firm; he was
active in a number of statewide professional organizations and
served as president of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association in 1968,
on the board of governors for the Association of Trial Lawyers of
America, and as a Fellow of the International Academy of Trial
Lawyers; in the course of his service to his community and state, he
advocated to change the law in Texas for people receiving
compensation; and
WHEREAS, In his leisure time, Mr. Edwards was an avid
fisherman and also enjoyed hunting, gardening, ranching, and
playing handball; while he was committed to "what was right," he
never failed to enjoy the luxuries of life and also appreciated
Texas' nature; and
WHEREAS, Although he will be deeply missed, the passage of
time will never diminish the joy and love that Bill Edwards brought
into the lives of all who knew him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of William Ryle
Edwards Jr. and extend heartfelt condolences to the members of his
family: to his wife, Sally Lander; to his children, Terry Baiamonte
and her husband, Rob, Margaret "Libby" Edwards Pender and her
husband, Frank, William R. "Billy" Edwards III and his wife, Paula,
and Dr. Margaret Lander Rising; to his grandchildren, Lander Beck
Baiamonte, Benjamin Scott Baiamonte and his wife, Caroline, Stewart
Randall Mann and his wife, Carrie, William Price Salem, William R.
"Ryle" Edwards IV, John A. "Alex" Edwards, Jack Edwards Rising, and
Linn Edwards Rising; to his great-grandchildren, Conlee Stewart
Mann and Everett Ames Mann; and to his many other relatives and
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 Bill
Edwards.
Hunter
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1150 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on April 28, 2023.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House