2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
He was not Willie Pulliam to me, and I could not even call him Mr. Pulliam. He would have let me, of course, but I knew better in my heart. He was my Papa Bill. From day one of meeting him as a young child mimicking my sister I would call him Papa Bill, and he allowed me to. He considered me as one of his granddaughters. There is so many wonderful memories and thoughtful sayings that I can speak about my Papa Bill. I can speak about him visiting me every week, sometimes twice a week, at my first job at McDonald's. Someone would let me know that my Papa is upfront waiting on me. Or when he would visit me the same at Ryan's. But, the most memory that I have about Papa Bill is his spirit of Love that showed Jesus him. He was inviting. He was someone that you could talk to for hours, and feel refreshed afterwards. He made it easy to feel accepted as a loved one in his life. I thank God that he allowed me to have Papa Bill in my life. His love was authentic. There are not a lot of people with a heart his size. He touched my life so much that years later after not seeing him for a while, I still would look in the cars passing that reminded me of Papa Bill's car, or ask my sister about him.
1 Thessalonians 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and has risen again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
I will get to see my Papa Bill again. And once again he will be waiting on me not upfront in a restaurant, but in Heaven. He will never be forgotten, and will be truly missed. I look forward to the day that we meet again. He is in a MUCH better place now. This place was prepared for him and us. Now he can receive the love back that he showed to many. Now he can be free from any sickness or disease. Now he can see the apple of our eye, the Savior of our souls, the Lover of our soul. And today I am rejoicing with you Papa Bill.
-Until we meet again