The weekend of celebration of Bill’s life put into perspective all that he stood for. The visitation on Friday evening honored Bill. Many who came to the visitation were discovering for the first time that he was a coal miner, actor, and a University of TN and Steeler fan. Janine, Jon, and Kari arranged five picture boards, and with the help of his sister, Gail, and digital cameras, we were able to have photos of his childhood.
Bill’s wishes were to be cremated and his ashes placed in the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee. Our Tennessee friends say they know just the place and will guide us there when the time comes.
The Memorial Service on Saturday was so Bill. The music, the eulogies, the scriptures read, were to his glory, and the glory of God. Two of our church choirs sang. The New Life Singers, a group of about 16, sang “In the Garden”, and the Grace Praise Team, a contemporary group with guitars and drums sang “Higher Throne” and “May the Road Rise to Meet You”. Plus, our choir director, Dan Wagner, sang “The Lord’s Prayer”. The music was so meaningful.
Then the eulogies. Janine represented the family. She managed to keep her emotions under control and showed the “daddy” side of Bill. From Bill buying her a drink at college, to Jon being a “human clamp with an engineer’s degree”, to Kari counting her dad’s freckles when a splinter was being pulled.
Pennie represented the choirs and his love of music.
Mark talked about Bill as a friend and family man, and Tom, a business friend, saw Bill from his Christian business ethics, and love of all persons, no matter what their place in life.
Our friends and family traveled from West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Indiana, Delaware and Wisconsin . Some spent the weekend, others flew out and back in the same day. About 200 people attended the service and many stayed for the reception following.
Bill has left his mark in this world. He will be missed by family members, friends and business associates. Thank you for supporting us through this adventure, and lets hope something good comes from Bill’s loss of life to cancer.
Bless you all.
Nancy
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4 comments:
Nancy,
Thanks for sharing the celebration of Bill's Life with those of us that could not attend. I can tell it was a lovely farewell and wish I could have been there. I was with him in thought. I ran over to Turfway about 5:30 just to bet Mr. Cool Coal Man in honor of Bill in The Kentucky Derby Race. Wishing you strength in the coming weeks as I know you will have lots of chores to do and decisions to make.
Love,
Mary Jo
Thanks for sharing the lovely farewell to Bill. We, too, were reminded of him when we watched the Derby. Sorry we could not be with you but you were in our hearts and our prayers. Love, Lynn and Lake
Dear Nancy,
I am sorry I could not be with you at the Celebration but I sent the best representitive I know. George was so very honored to be able to attend the Friday night vigil and enjoyed seeing the family. We love you and promise to keep you in our thoughts.
Love, George and Janet Desko
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