RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, William Johnson has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of ninety-four; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, A longtime resident of Lake Forest, William Johnson was a widely respected business leader and the loving husband of Mary Barb; and
WHEREAS, William Johnson was the much-adored father of Kirk, Benjamin and Kathleen and the grandfather of six to whom he imparted many of the fine and noble qualities that he possessed in abundance; and
WHEREAS, A native of Maryland, William Johnson was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School and served stateside in World War II with an Army intelligence unit; and
WHEREAS, William Johnson became President and Director of the Railway Express Agency in 1959 and succeeded in turning the company around, an achievement that brought him national attention and a cover story in Business Week; and
WHEREAS, In 1966 William Johnson became Chief Executive Officer of Illinois Central Railroad and its parent, IC Industries; and
WHEREAS, In 1972 William Johnson oversaw the merger of Illinois Central Railroad with Gulf, Mobile and Ohio Railroad and the same year was named Chairman of IC Industries while remaining Chief Executive Officer; and
WHEREAS, The hard work, sacrifice and dedication of William Johnson serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, William Johnson will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his many relatives, friends and admirers; and
WHEREAS, To his beloved family, William Johnson 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 eighth day of May, 2013, do hereby commemorate William Johnson for his grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to his family; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family o...
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