Bill Text: MS SC507 | 2013 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Mourn the loss and commend the public service of former Mississippi Representative Billy Bowles.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2013-01-17 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC507 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2013-SC507-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2013 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Brown, Jolly, Blount, Browning, Burton, Butler (38th), Frazier, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Kirby, Lee, Parker, Stone, Watson
Senate Concurrent Resolution 507
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMENDING THE PUBLIC SERVICE OF FORMER MISSISSIPPI REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAM EUGENE "BILLY" BOWLES OF THORN, MISSISSIPPI, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.
WHEREAS, William Eugene "Billy" Bowles, who served 20 years in the Mississippi House of Representatives and ran Bowles Grocery for 34 years, passed away on September 23, 2012, at the age of 78; and
WHEREAS, Representative Bowles was elected to House District 22 in 1984, and served until January 2004. He served as Chair of the Oil and Gas Committee and, as a freshman, was a member of the Transportation Committee and worked for passage of the historic 1987 Four-Lane Act; and
WHEREAS, when Representative Bowles served, the district consisted primarily of Chickasaw County, but also included portions of Monroe and his native county of Lee. He was a graduate of Tupelo High School, Itawamba Community College and Mississippi State University; and
WHEREAS, Bowles, a staunch supporter of small business, retired from the Legislature in 2004. The country storekeeper was known for standing up during continuous floor debates to ask who wants this Bill? "He had a unique perspective and a sense of legislative timing," longtime deskmate Steve Holland said of the former rural grocery store owner/legislator; and
WHEREAS, "He was the ultimate servant of the people," said former House Speaker Billy McCoy, Democrat-Rienzi, who for 20 years sat on the same row in the House Chamber with Holland and Bowles. "Plus he loved the Mississippi House." "Billy Bowles loved his family, he loved his wife, his children and his grandchildren," said Representative Preston Sullivan, Democrat-Okolona, who replaced Bowles as the District 22 representative and was his cousin. "He loved America, Mississippi and his district"; and
WHEREAS, Representative Bowles' list of accomplishments include Chickasaw Session Funding; the 1987 Highway Program; the Houston Bypass; and the extension of the 1987 Highway Program which included widening Highway 15 to four lanes. Representative Bowles was a strong believer of individual rights and the Second Amendment right to bear arms and has protected the rights provided in the Mississippi Constitution. Representative Bowles was a strong believer in employment and has supported lignite mining that created many jobs in District 22. Representative Bowles' congenial nature, constructive attitude and forthright manner have had a positive influence on all those who have had the pleasure of working with this highly respected member of the House;
WHEREAS, he is survived by his wife, Ruby Kate Woolridge Bowles and two sons, Steve and wife Jane Pearson of Houston and Mike and wife Deedie Pearson of Pontotoc. His brother, Harry and wife Martha Bowles of Corinth, six grandchildren; Jay, Lauren, Patrick Pearson, Merryclaire, Jeenna Leigh, and Will Alridge and four great-grandchildren Ella Cate Alford, Jackson, Eli and Embry Alridge; and
WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of our friend and colleague, however we cherish fondly the memory of this most public spirited citizen of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commend the public service of former Mississippi Representative William Eugene "Billy" Bowles of Thorn, and native of Lee County, Mississippi, and express the sympathy of the Legislature to his surviving family on his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Billy Bowles and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
