H*4219 Concurrent Resolution, By D. Owens, A. Young, Chellis, Harvin and Law
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW AND DEEPEST SYMPATHY OF
 THE SOUTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO THE FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS OF ONE OF
 THIS STATE'S MOST PROMINENT AND RESPECTED LEADERS, JAMES WOODROW BILTON, SR.,
 OF ST. GEORGE, AND TO EXTEND THEIR SINCERE GRATITUDE FOR HIS LONGSTANDING
 FRIENDSHIP AND MEANINGFUL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

   05/30/01  House  Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-69
   05/31/01  Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-10

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW AND DEEPEST SYMPATHY OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO THE FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS OF ONE OF THIS STATE'S MOST PROMINENT AND RESPECTED LEADERS, JAMES WOODROW BILTON, SR., OF ST. GEORGE, AND TO EXTEND THEIR SINCERE GRATITUDE FOR HIS LONGSTANDING FRIENDSHIP AND MEANINGFUL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly were deeply saddened by the death of James Woodrow Bilton, Sr., of St. George who passed away on Friday, May 25, 2001, at the age of eighty-one; and

Whereas, Mr. Bilton born July 25, 1919, in Cross, South Carolina, to the late William Whitaker and Dora Lee Parker Bilton, and was a graduate of Cross Hill High School; and

Whereas, he served his country with honor and distinction in the United States Army during World War II as an infantryman stationed throughout Europe. He was wounded and captured in the Battle of the Bulge and was held as a prisoner of war in Germany; and

Whereas, Jim Bilton was a decorated war veteran having been awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and the Letter of Merit for his valiant and distinguished service to his country; and

Whereas, after his military service, he began a lifelong, highly successful career in automobile sales and service. He was the founder and Chief Executive Office of Jim Bilton Ford and was subsequently instrumental in the establishment of automobile dealerships in Holly Hill, Moncks Corner, and Sumter; and

Whereas, Jim Bilton was a long time friend to generations of members of the General Assembly and was a beloved public figure and an esteemed public servant; and

Whereas, Mr. Bilton served as a member of the South Carolina Highway Commission from 1972 to 1976 and from 1984 to 1988 was chairman of the commission's building committee for the Silas N. Pearman Building. He was a valued member of and made significant contribution to the commission, bringing with him his finely honed business skills and his highly effective leadership; and

Whereas, Commissioner Bilton had a strong presence in his community as evidenced by his activities at St. George United Methodist Church, in the South Carolina Automobile Association, on the Committee for the Trident Technical College Foundation, and in the American Legion Post 105, Vance Masonic Lodge, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Lowcountry Chapter of the American Ex-Prisoners Of War; and

Whereas, he was the loving husband to Lurene Stephens Bilton; the devoted father of four sons: James Woodrow Bilton, Jr., of Moncks Corner, Allen McKinley Bilton of Holly Hill, Jerome Stephens Bilton of St. George, and William David Bilton of Columbia; and he was the doting grandfather to eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren; and

Whereas, with the death of this distinguished Southern gentleman the people of South Carolina have lost a well-respected, successful businessman, an outstanding community leader, and a dear friend; and

Whereas, it is proper and fitting that the members of the South Carolina General Assembly pause in their deliberations to recognize the passing of this truly outstanding favorite son and public figure, who will be greatly missed, but never forgotten. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow and deepest sympathy to the family and many friends of one of this State's most prominent and respected leaders, James Woodrow Bilton, Sr., of St. George and to extend their sincere gratitude for his longstanding friendship and meaningful contributions of the State of South Carolina.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to his wife, Lurene Stephens Bilton.