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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE LIFE OF WILLIE “BILL” WILLIAMS JR.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
WHEREAS, Willie “Bill” Williams Jr. touched many lives and treated everyone he met as a friend and equal from the White House to the street corner; and
WHEREAS, as an entrepreneur, Willie founded the Morgan Park Shoe Repair and Shine Parlors (known today as K&J Shoe Repair & Shine Parlors) and the E&B Restaurant along with his business partners where they provided over thirty individuals part-time employment; and
WHEREAS, Willie is recognized nationally as a leader for furthering racial equality and opportunity in the convention and tourism industry; and
WHEREAS, Willie proudly held the title as the Senior African American in the U.S. in the convention bureau industry for his tremendous impact on the economic growth and development of Chicago’s hospitality industry in the department of cultural diversity in the meeting industry; and
WHEREAS, Willie earned a Business Degree at Chicago State University, has received numerous accolades, and served on several boards for his many years of service in the fields of business, marketing, and hospitality; and
WHEREAS, Willie is a founding board member of the National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners as well as a founding board member of the Chicago Chapter of the Society of Government Meeting Professionals; and
WHEREAS, Willie served as a Marine and member of the Montford Point Marines Association; he is a life time member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, a member of the Quarter Century Club of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, a 33rd Degree Mason and a Shriner, a member of NAACP, and President of the Rat Pack Chicago, to name a few; and
WHEREAS, Willie has 37 years of exceptional service to Chicago as the Vice President, Diversity/Sales of Choose Chicago (formerly the Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau), and forty years in the hospitality industry; and
WHEREAS, Willie believed in the the betterment of others and was a mentor to many people interested in the hospitality industry; and
WHEREAS, Willie is a husband of forty-seven years to Syleste, father, grandfather, and a lifelong member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, will be truly missed by a host of other family, friends, and neighbors; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of Cook County, on behalf of the 5.2 million residents of Cook County, does hereby honor and celebrate the life of Willie “Bill” Williams Jr. and his many contributions bettering the lives of all residents in Cook County, Illinois; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and that an official copy of the same be tendered to the family of Willie “Bill” Williams Jr.
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