[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 128 (Friday, October 13, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1771]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN MEMORY OF JUDGE BILL COATS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 12, 2000

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to pay tribute today 
to the late District Court Judge, W. E. ``Bill'' Coats, of Tyler, TX, 
who died in April of this year at the age of 76. Judge Coats served 
Smith County for 30 years as judge and district attorney. He had 
practiced law in Smith County since 1954.
  He was elected the first Republican district attorney in Texas, 
serving from 1963 until 1967. He also served as judge of County Court 
at Law No. 2, from 1975-79, and served as 7th District Court Judge to 
complete his 30 years of service in Smith County. He also was appointed 
by the Tyler City Commission in 1968 to serve as Municipal Court Judge. 
Judge Coats was a Mason and Shriner and served in the Army Air Corps 
during World War II.
  Survivors include a son, William Fred Coats of Tyler; daughters, 
Fonda Reeves of Tyler, Ardis Maxwell of Luling, and LeAnn Craven of 
Wills Point; a brother, James Coats of Whitehouse; 10 grandchildren and 
two great-grandchildren.
  Judge Coats brought dignity and honor to the courtroom--and in all 
that he accomplished. His distinguished career and contributions to the 
practice of law and the judiciary in Smith County will be long 
remembered, and I would like to take this opportunity to join his 
family, his friends, and his peers in paying our last respects to this 
respected District Court Judge, Bill Coats. As we adjourn today let us 
do so in his memory.

                          ____________________