H*4340 Concurrent Resolution, By J.M. Baxley, Allison, Altman, Askins, Bailey, 
Barfield, Barrett, Battle, Bauer, Beck, Boan, Bowers, Breeland, G. Brown, 
H. Brown, J. Brown, T. Brown, A.W. Byrd, Campsen, Canty, Carnell, Cato, Cave, 
Chellis, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cooper, Cotty, J.L.M. Cromer, Dantzler, 
Davenport, Delleney, Easterday, Edge, J.G. Felder, Fleming, Gamble, Gourdine, 
Govan, Hamilton, Harrell, Harris, Harrison, Harvin, Haskins, Hawkins, J. Hines, 
M. Hines, Hinson, J.H. Hodges, Howard, Inabinett, Jennings, B.L. Jordan, Keegan, 
Kelley, Kennedy, M.H. Kinon, Kirsh, Klauber, Knotts, Koon, Lanford, Law, Leach, 
Lee, L.H. Limbaugh, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Lloyd, Loftis, Mack, Maddox, Martin, 
Mason, McCraw, McKay, W. McLeod, McMahand, J.D. McMaster, Meacham, Miller, 
Moody-Lawrence, V.T. Mullen, J.H. Neal, Neilson, Parks, Phillips, Pinckney, 
Quinn, Rhoad, Rice, Riser, Robinson, Rodgers, Sandifer, Scott, Seithel, Sharpe, 
Sheheen, Simrill, D. Smith, F. Smith, J. Smith, R. Smith, Spearman, Stille, 
E.C. Stoddard, Stuart, Townsend, Tripp, Trotter, Vaughn, Walker, Webb, Whatley, 
Whipper, Wilder, Wilkes, Wilkins, Witherspoon, Woodrum, W.J. Young and 
Young-Brickell
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM H. BAXLEY, JR.,
 OF HARTSVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA, ON THE SPECIAL OCCASION OF THEIR FIFTIETH
 WEDDING ANNIVERSARY ON SEPTEMBER 7, 1997, AND TO EXTEND TO THEM BEST WISHES
 FOR MANY MORE YEARS OF HAPPINESS.

   06/17/97  House  Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-140
   06/17/97  Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-15

TO CONGRATULATE MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM H. BAXLEY, JR., OF HARTSVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA, ON THE SPECIAL OCCASION OF THEIR FIFTIETH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY ON SEPTEMBER 7, 1997, AND EXTEND TO THEM BEST WISHES FOR MANY MORE YEARS OF HAPPINESS TOGETHER.

Whereas, William H. "Bill" Baxley, Jr., and Merle Lee Davis were married on September 7, 1947, at the First Baptist Church in Hartsville, South Carolina; and

Whereas, their union has been blessed with fifty years of love, happiness, and deep commitment to one another; and

Whereas, when Bill Baxley first saw Merle Davis, he thought her to be the most intelligent, good-hearted, and beautiful woman he had ever witnessed and was greatly taken with her; and

Whereas, Merle Davis, when first introduced to Bill Baxley, thought him to be the smartest, most courteous, and most handsome man she had ever met, and was greatly taken with him; and

Whereas, Merle Davis's love and prayers sustained Bill Baxley during his World War II service in the Pacific theater, and upon his return he asked for her hand in marriage; and

Whereas, Bill Baxley, a chemical engineer by training, worked for forty-three years for Sonoco Products Company, bringing great innovation and prosperity to that company, contributing significantly to the economic advancement of our State, while Merle Davis Baxley, a devoted homemaker, has given great service to our State as a public school teacher for thirty years, helping to improve the lives of others; and

Whereas, of this union was born four sons, Bill, Jr., Luke, Mike, and Tim, and seven grandchildren, all of whom are grateful for the love of family and commitment to one another instilled in them by this loving couple; and

Whereas, the State of South Carolina has previously honored the Baxley family for their outstanding character, exemplary lives, and commitment to family values by honoring them as the 1985 South Carolina Family of the Year; and

Whereas, Bill and Merle Baxley are particularly popular among the members of our General Assembly for Merle's delectable home baked cookies she sends to us each week by her son, our own Rep. J. Michael Baxley; and

Whereas, Bill and Merle Baxley, through the years, continue to exemplify an ideal and enviable partnership as husband and wife together and have always put God and family as top priorities in their lives. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the members of the General Assembly, by this resolution, hereby congratulate Mr. and Mrs. William H. Baxley, Jr., on the special occasion of their fiftieth wedding anniversary on September 7, 1997, and extend to them best wishes for many more years together.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Mr. and Mrs. William H. Baxley, Jr.