RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Billy Pierce has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 88; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, Billy Pierce was a legendary pitcher for the Chicago White Sox and the loving husband for 65 years of Gloria; and
WHEREAS, Billy Pierce wore No. 19 for the White Sox which was retired in 1987 and a statue in his honor was erected on the concourse of U.S. Cellular Field in 2007; and
WHEREAS, The son of a pharmacist, Billy Pierce was raised in Highland Park, Michigan and joined the Detroit Tigers before finishing high school; and
WHEREAS, Billy Pierce was on the Detroit Tigers' roster during the team's victory over the Chicago Cubs in the 1945 World Series; and
WHEREAS, One of the league's most dominant pitchers of the 1950s, Billy Pierce went on to pitch for the Chicago White Sox from 1949 to 1961 and the San Francisco Giants from 1962 to 1964; and
WHEREAS, A seven-time All Star, Billy Pierce finished his professional baseball career with 1,999 strikeouts; and
WHEREAS, Billy Pierce was inducted into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame in 2006 and will be remembered as a true gentleman who exuded class; and
WHEREAS, The talent, sacrifice and dedication of Billy Pierce serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, His love of life and ability to live it to the fullest endeared Billy Pierce to his family members, friends and all who knew him, and enabled him to enrich their lives in ways they will never forget; and
WHEREAS, Billy Pierce was ari individual of great integrity and accomplishment who will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his many relatives, friends and admirers; and
WHEREAS, To his wife, Gloria, his two sons, Bill, Jr. and Robert, his five grandchildren and his one great-grandchild, Billy Pierce imparts a legacy of faithfulness, service and dignity; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this twenty-fourth day of September 2015, do hereby commemorate Billy Pierce for his grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to his family; and
Alderman - 14th Ward
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Billy Pierce.