Phillip L. Willis
Full Name: Phillip LaFrance WillisDate of birth: August 2, 1918
Date of death: January 26, 1995
Terms of Service top
| Chamber | District | Dates of Service | Legislatures | Party | City/County | Note | Counties in District |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H | 52 | Jan 11, 1949 - Aug 28, 1949 | 51st (1) | Democrat | Kaufman / Kaufman | Kaufman | |
| H | 52 | Jan 14, 1947 - Jan 11, 1949 | 50th | Democrat | Kaufman / Kaufman | Kaufman |
(1) Fred V. Meridith, in special election 11/8/1949, sworn 1/31/1950, succeeded Phillip L. Willis, resigned 8/28/1949. First session was 51st 1st Called Session. Members of the Texas Congress 1836-1845; Members of the Texas Legislature 1846-2004, 2005.
Terms of Service top
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House District 52
Jan 11, 1949 - Aug 28, 1949 Legislatures: 51st (1) Party: Democrat Home City/County: Kaufman / Kaufman Counties in district: Kaufman |
|
House District 52
Jan 14, 1947 - Jan 11, 1949 Legislatures: 50th Party: Democrat Home City/County: Kaufman / Kaufman Counties in district: Kaufman |
(1) Fred V. Meridith, in special election 11/8/1949, sworn 1/31/1950, succeeded Phillip L. Willis, resigned 8/28/1949. First session was 51st 1st Called Session. Members of the Texas Congress 1836-1845; Members of the Texas Legislature 1846-2004, 2005.
Biographical Information top
Selected newspaper articlesResolutions and Journal entries
- 74th Legislature, R.S., HCR 179. Resolutions - Memorial.
- 74th Legislature, R.S., HR 1059. Memorializing 35 members who died in the past two years. Resolutions - Memorial.
- 74th Legislature, R.S., HR 95. Relatives: Doyle Willis and Phillip Willis - brothers. Resolutions - Memorial.
- 74th Legislature, R.S., SR 129. Resolutions - Memorial.
Biographical Sketches
- Oral history interview available in Oral History Collection, University of North Texas.
Military Service Notes
- United States Army Air Corps, Lieutenant, World War II. Detailed description of World War II service as a pilot, especially in the attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, flying one of the two 86th Observation Squadron planes: "at daybreak, December 8, 1941, Lieutenant Willis captured the United States' first prisoner of war in World War II, the surviving member of a two-man Japanese suicide submarine caught on a reef," earned Silver Star as a B-17 bomber pilot in the Battle of Midway, June 1942, and many other military awards: "the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Presidential Unit Citation with Oak Leaf Cluster, the World War II Victory Medal, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Bronze Star, the Air Force Combat Readiness Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, and the Pearl Harbor Commemorative Medal, along with eight theater and service medals." Resolutions - Memorial.
Other Resources
- Obituary, Doyle Henry Willis, 6/24/2006, "[Doyle] Willis served with his brother, Phillip . . . They were the first brothers to serve together in the Texas House of Representatives." Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Photographs
- Photograph. Phillip L. Willis, 51st Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph. Phillip L. Willis, 50th Legislature, State Preservation Board
Composite Photographs on Display in the Capitol
- 50th session composite photo of House members (Ground floor corridor, south wall. GW.C1). State Preservation Board.
- 51st session composite photo of House members (Ground floor corridor, south wall. GW.C1). State Preservation Board.
Committee Information top
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