SR1346 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1346 LRB103 43648 LAW 76996 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of William Alfred Caldwell of Waukegan, who passed away on December 3, 2024; and

WHEREAS, William Caldwell was born to James Alfred Caldwell and Pinky Hawkins Caldwell in New Africa, Mississippi on August 7, 1943; after his mother's passing, he and his father moved to reside with his maternal aunt and her husband, Lola and Luther Lackey, on Liberty Street in Waukegan, Illinois, where he attended Andrew Cooke Elementary School; he and his father joined Shiloh Baptist Church of Waukegan in the 1950s, where he was baptized and his father met and married Rose Tipton; his family built a home on McKinley Avenue in Waukegan, where he resided in a multigenerational household with his paternal grandmother, Ida Stewart, and his paternal uncle, Ed; after matriculating through high school, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving as a staff sergeant for two years; he was married three times, to Johnnie B. Jennings, Johnnie Mae Caples, and Louise Jackson; and

WHEREAS, William Caldwell, upon receiving his honorable discharge, returned to Waukegan and began working at Outboard Marine Corporation (OMC), where he remained until it downsized; given his veteran status and past supervisory experience, he became employed as a case manager at Waukegan Township, patiently assisting and advocating for clients until his retirement a decade ago; during his tenure, he was known as "Mr. C" to clients and peers out of respect for his work; and

WHEREAS, William Caldwell joined and became an active member of Antioch Baptist Church in Waukegan in later years, where he loved participating with the men's ensemble; he returned to Shiloh Baptist Church of Waukegan many years later, where he enjoyed the fellowship and spiritual teachings of Pastor Walstone Elijah Francis and Pastor Charles Ivy, and he occasionally attended Sunday school; and

WHEREAS, William Caldwell was noted and admired for his fashion sense and style throughout his life; he was a consummate sports enthusiast, possessing a special affinity for the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago Bulls, the Chicago Bears, and the New York Knicks; he loved fishing with family and friends, and he participated in fishing competitions near and far; he enjoyed traveling, especially to warmer climates by cruise ship; he also played a variety of instruments and maintained an impressive album collection over the years; and

WHEREAS, William Caldwell was also known for his cool demeanor, being referred to as "Jackie" by family and friends, whose relationships he deeply cherished; and

WHEREAS, William Caldwell was preceded in death by his parents; his son with Johnnie Mae Caples, Rashaan Caldwell; his grandmother, Ida B. Stewart; his grandfather, Preston Hawkins; his bonus mother, Rose Tipton Caldwell; his brother, James Preston Caldwell; his sister, Dorothy Armsted; his sister-in-love, Ernestine Caldwell; and his wives, Johnnie B. Jennings-Caldwell and Louise Jackson; and

WHEREAS, William Caldwell is survived by his daughter with Johnnie B. Jennings-Caldwell, LaTonya Hill; his grandson, Durrelle (Meghan) Hill; his nephews, Russell (Alice) Jones and Gregory (Stella) Jones; his nieces, Patricia A. Jones, Joy (Ronald) Grace, and Michelle Caldwell; two great-grandchildren; and a host of great-nieces; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of William Alfred Caldwell and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of William Caldwell as an expression of our deepest sympathy.