Bill

I'm behind in this post, but have to do it as much as it saddens me. Many of you know our dear friend "old man bill" as we called him. We met him in Del Rio in 2004 when he was quite the 93 year old spitfire! After 4 years in Del Rio, we grew close to our new friend with weekly visits, trips to the doctor, battling cancer together, watching the Spurs, and talking about history...like life during the Great Depression. When Andy was in the states for the month of March, he got word from our friend who was a caretaker for Bill. She told us he was fading and that the doctor gave him just a couple days. Andy, being the thoughtful person that he is, printed pictures of us and Tyler on Walmart.com and had them shipped to her the next day. Tyler's middle name is William which is Bill's first name. When we left Del Rio I just found out that I was pregnant...I told him that if he we had a boy...we would give him his name. Unfortunately Bill and Ty never had the opportunity to meet but we always mailed him photos which in the words of Bill just made him "Tickled Pink!" Our friend showed Bill the pictures and although he could not speak, she said he pointed at us and smiled. She could tell that he knew who we were and was happy to know that although we were so far away we were still with him. At the ripe old age of 99, he took his last breath. This September he would have turned 100!

It was incredibly hard to recieve this news...we love this man dearly and think of him as another "grandpa". He always gave us the right perspective...God's perspective, demonstrated a life of simplicity, determination, hard work, meaningful relationships, always made us laugh with the things he would say, and just gave us profound wisdom that we will carry with us always....

Here are a couple of Bill's favorite things:

1.) Watching the Spurs while drinking either a Lone Star Beer or Dr. Pepper & Totinos pizza

2.) Emailing or playing Solitaire on his computer...he was quite tech savy for his age!

3.) Sitting on his front porch and counting how many "pickup trucks" that would drive by

4.) Picking up the pecans from his backyard tree and cracking them...then giving them away

5.) Talking about "old times"

6.) Exercising on his Tony Little Gazelle trainer....he did 30 minutes every morning!

7.) Getting visitors...any visitor!

8.) Haning out with his funny old friend Paul

9.) Watching old black n white Western movies

10.) Going to HEB grocery store

11.) Driving his Ford Focus...(although he probably shouldn't have!!)

12.) Talking about politics and the price of EVERYTHING...."these days"

13.) Getting the mail

14.) Lots of hugs, smiles, and handshakes :)

15.) Just sitting in his living room hanging out with the Korsmos!

The list could go on and on...but you get the picture...he was quite the man. I am so greatful to know that our friendship doesn't end here. There will be a day when we see him again in heaven and when Tyler will get to meet the man we call "Bill"....until then...he will carry his name for him. We love you Bill!