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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE LIFE OF WILLIS EVERETT (BILL) PENNINGTON JR.
WHEREAS, Almighty God in His infinite wisdom called from our midst Willis Everett (Bill) Pennington Jr. on Aril 30th, 2023 at the age of 75; and
WHEREAS, Bill was born in Richmond, Indiana, on June 12, 1948, the eldest of eight children born to the late Willis E. Pennington Sr. and Deloris Cottman Pennington; and
WHEREAS, Bill loved his childhood and was so proud of his hometown, Richmond, and his humble beginnings. He also loved his family immensely, and as the big brother, Bill was always the sibling his younger ones could rely on and was their confidant, best friend, advocate, and sought his counsel for almost everything since he was considered the cool, calm, and collected one; and
WHEREAS, Bill exceled while attending grammar and high schools. He was a member of the Richmond High School track and field team, and to this day, he still holds track and field records there; and
WHEREAS, Bill graduated from Richmond High in 1967 and joined the U.S. Army. Bill served in the Vietnam War in the 1st Cavalry Division from 1968-1970, and while serving, he received the Army Commendation Medal and Good Conduct Medal along with several other honors; and
WHEREAS, after Vietnam, he briefly attended Earlham College in Richmond before later transferring to Howard University in Washington, D.C. It was at Howard in Locke Hall that Bill "locked" eyes with the love of his life, Queenie, and the two still remembered the room number and seats they sat in when they met in a public speaking class; and
WHEREAS, while at Howard, he was a member of various organizations on campus including Phi Alpha Theta - Zeta Gamma Chapter Honor Society, the Association of Veteran Students and the Political Science Society and Bill graduated from Howard with a bachelor's degree in history and international relations; and
WHEREAS, soon after, Bill and Queenie moved to Chicago, Illinois and married on April 12 ...
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