Wow, what a life.

From what I know it all started in Hawaii, what a beautiful way to come into this world, landing in paradise! Billy has told me small memories of his beginnings there but the familly moved to Texas in his early childhood.

From the time he was a child, he loved the outdoors and nature. My brother, sisters and I have fond memories of a visit in Texas exploring and swimming in the neighbor's pool.  We talked our parents into bringing home a Box Turtle. We named him Herman (Tim and Billy cought it but he was part of the family for many years). He was still pretty young when they moved to Ohio and this is where Billy did most of his growing up.

Billy was on the Cross Country team in Highschool. He shared some of his challenges and experiences with me when he would come along to watch my son run Cross Country while he was in Chicago. I enjoyed those times, just Billy and I with plenty of time to chat.

From Ohio, Billy went to Montana where he went to college and studied Forestry. What a perfect voacation for Billy. After college he worked in the Forests as a Logger. Very physically demanding and dangerous work. Some of his stories scared me, but he told them with passion. It was obvious how dear those memories are and that he had deep regrets of ever leaving.

He did leave, I don't know exactly when, but he went to California and spent time with his family there. He spoke of special times spent with family there too.

On the go again, he traveled with a friend through the west and southwestern areas of the country and landed in Little Rock Arksnsas. Billy was a hard worker, and there wasn't much forestry work in Arkensas, so he did the most opportunistic thing and became a plumber. He worked hard and had a great job for many years. He did well enough for himself to buy a home. He told me many stories of his great memories of his dog, his horse, and the freedom he enjoyed living alone and hunting, fishing and enjoying nature.

He felt the pull to be closer to family when his sister Lani started her own family. Back to Ohio he went and re-kindeled his relationship with Lani and built a life living close to Lani, Tom, Caleb and Josh in and around London OH. There were plumbing opportunities for Bill and friends to fish and shoot with . Most of all he treasured the time he had with Lani and her family. He loved Lani, Tom, Josh and Caleb more than words can express. He and Tom were as close as true brothers and the 5 of them were their own littlle family. Billy spent many a night on their couch rather than go gome.

The time came for Billy to move again, this time to Chicago or the "Concrete Jungle" as Billy fondly referred to it! For three years we were blessed to have him here with us. Billy went to many family parties, and celebrated hollidays with us. My best memory has to be his 50'th Birthday Party. Lani and family came from Ohio and all of the Chicago cousins were there. He stayed with us for 3 years, long enough for him to get on his feet and feel the call of the wild and back to Texas he went.

Billy was a hard and dependable worker so finding work came easy. He found a great friend who shared his beautiful Moutain Escape with Billy and gave him free reign to take off to the mountians and hunt until his heart's desire. Billy was in heaven! The last two years of his life, he spent every spare minute in that special place and felt close to God in nature. Billy made all kinds of crazy "beings" practicing his own form of Taxidermy! Billy also enjoyed many days fishing in Coupus Christi and sent loads of photos looking as happy as a 10 year old boy holding up his fish for the photo. Hunting & Fishing were his passion and his last years were well spent doing both.

It was a good life filled with love and fun!

We'll all miss you Billy!