89R21552 TBO-D
By: Turner H.R. No. 806
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The citizens of Grand Prairie bid farewell to a
respected elected official, educator, and civic leader with the
passing of former State Representative Billy Len Arnold on
November 27, 2023, at the age of 97; and
WHEREAS, Bill Arnold was born on August 17, 1926, in the small
farming community of Peerless in Hopkins County; he was raised by
his mother, Bessie Hope Evans Arnold, his grandparents, John and
Agnes Evans, and his uncles, Marvin, Bascom, and Sam Evans, and he
grew up with the companionship of four siblings, Jeff, Lasca, Mary
Jo, and Hellen; he was a member of the first graduating class at
North Hopkins School in 1944; answering his nation's call to duty,
he joined the U.S. Navy and served aboard the light cruiser U.S.S.
Columbia in the South Pacific during World War II; following his
honorable discharge, he earned a degree from East Texas State
Teachers College, and he later received a master's degree in
education; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Arnold began his teaching career in Tyler, and
in 1954, he relocated to Grand Prairie; after several years in the
classroom, he was promoted to principal of an elementary school and
later a junior high; in 1968, he became the assistant
superintendent for business administration for the Grand Prairie
Independent School District, and he retired in 1986 as deputy
superintendent; throughout his tenure, he was active in a number of
professional associations, including the Texas Association of
School Business Officials, which he led as president for a term; and
WHEREAS, First elected to the Texas House of Representatives
in 1986, Mr. Arnold worked tirelessly in behalf of his constituents
in House District 106; during his three terms in office, he served
on numerous committees, including Elections, Public Safety, House
Administration, Public Education, and Rules and Resolutions, and he
was vice chair of the Public Safety Committee during the 71st and
72nd Legislatures; he concluded his tenure in January 1993,
following six years of exemplary public service; and
WHEREAS, Active in his community, Mr. Arnold was involved in
the Optimist Club as well as the Grand Prairie Rotary Club, where he
served as president and was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow; he also
held the office of president of the Grand Prairie Chamber of
Commerce, served on the board of the YMCA, and contributed to a
number of Boy Scouts of America fundraising drives; among his many
accolades, he was named Citizen of the Year, and in 2002, Grand
Prairie ISD named Bill Arnold Middle School in his honor; and
WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Arnold enjoyed the love
and support of his wife, Laura, with whom he shared a rewarding
marriage that spanned more than seven decades; he took great pride
in their two sons, Bryan and Brent, and over the years, he had the
pleasure of seeing his family grow to include five grandchildren,
Clint, Kathryn, Walt, Ginny, and Tessa, and six
great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Harrison, Jack, Charlie, Maggie,
and Will; a man of deep faith, he was a devoted congregant of First
Baptist Church Grand Prairie, where he served as a deacon, Sunday
school teacher, and member of pastoral search committees; and
WHEREAS, Although Bill Arnold is deeply missed by those he
left behind, his life stands as an outstanding example of civic
engagement, and his contributions will continue to be remembered
and admired in the years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of the Honorable Billy
Len Arnold and extend heartfelt sympathy to all 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 Bill
Arnold.