MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2011 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Burton, Butler (38th), Davis, Dearing, Fillingane, Jackson (32nd), Kirby, Lee (35th), Montgomery, Simmons, Stone, Ward
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMENDING THE LONG AND DISTINGUISHED PUBLIC CAREER OF FORMER CENTRAL DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONER AND NAVAL OFFICER SAM W. WAGGONER III, OF NEWTON, MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, former Central District Transportation Commissioner and World War II Naval Officer Sam W. Waggoner III of Newton, Mississippi, passed away on November 1, 2010; and
WHEREAS, a native of Leake County and 1939 graduate of Carthage High School, Waggoner served as Mississippi's Central District Transportation Commissioner for 21 years and as an engineer for the Mississippi Department of Transportation for 15 years. He was the Construction Engineer for the Ross Barnett Reservoir and the founder of Engineers and Surveyors, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, during a lifetime of civic service, Waggoner served as State Commander of the American Legion in 1952-1953, was active in the Ole Miss Alumni Association Board of Directors from 1968-1980, served for 18 years on the State Board of the American Cancer Society and was active in the Ole Miss Engineering Alumni Association since graduation; and
WHEREAS, Waggoner was instrumental in passage of the $1.6 Billion Corridor Road Program that put four-lane roads within 30 miles of all Mississippi cities and helped create the Advocating Highways for Economic Advancement and Development Organization. The 1987 four-lane highway legislation was the biggest public works project in the state's history. He received the Hall of Fame Award for Outstanding Engineer in 2002; and
WHEREAS, a 1932 graduate of the Ole Miss School of Engineering, Waggoner was the 2006 recipient of the "Engineer of Distinction Award" from the Ole Miss School of Engineering that honors lifetime achievement; and
WHEREAS, Waggoner was a cattle and timber farmer and a member of the Cattleman's Association and a Charter Member of the Leake County Forestry Association; and
WHEREAS, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade; and
WHEREAS, he was active in the First Baptist Church of Newton, serving as a Deacon for 18 years, President of the Berean Sunday School Class for over 20 years and Superintendent of the Sunday School for a decade; and
WHEREAS, survivors include his high school sweetheart and wife of 64 years, Mary Elizabeth Smith Waggoner; son, Joe Ayres Waggoner; daughter, Mary Jane Waggoner McDaniel; daughter-in-law, Allison and their children, Alex Ayres and Olivia Claire; son-in-law, Kirk Bolling McDaniel and their children, Anna McDaniel Henson (married to Zeb King Henson and three children, Sara Elizabeth, Sandra Leigh, and Samuel William); Elizabeth McDaniel Pegg (married to Ronald Clark Pegg Jr.; and two children, Katherine Elizabeth and Bryson Clark); and Sara Ayres McDaniel; and
WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of this dedicated veteran who served a long and distinguished career in the service of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commend the outstanding public career of former Central District Transportation Commissioner and World War II Naval Officer Sam W. Waggoner III, of Newton, Mississippi, and we extend our thoughts and prayers to his surviving family and our thanks for his service.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Sam Waggoner, forwarded to the Mississippi Transportation Commission and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.