From July 11th, 2015 - this was the eulogy I gave
On behalf of my family, we would like to thank all of you for your prayers and sympathies during this time.
My father was an impressive man. In fact, he invented the remote control when I was a small child. He would have my sister or I sit next to the TV and he would call out what channel he wanted to see. Thankfully, we got a real remote control before we got cable TV. I don't know how tired our arms would have gotten from changing all those channels.
One of the things about my father is that he owned so many tools. Always seemed to have the right tool that was needed for any occasion. I remember most his wooden handled screwdriver. Maybe it was one of the tools I recognized when he named it. Most of the time I would bring up 3 to 4 tools in the hopes I picked the right one. But not the wooden handled screwdriver. I knew that one. I don't know how many things he built, tightened, or fixed. It just seemed to be so many things. It was always there when it was needed. Kind of like my dad, always there when needed.
You will hear many things throughout this eulogy about my father. They will be dependability, giving one's word, and family. My father was always available to help others, not because he wanted a pat on his back, but because it was the right thing to do. Even if he had disagreements with family, if they need it, he would give his help. "Family is family" he would always say.
That's the thing with dad. He was there for us. For his friends, golfing, work, and hunting. Telling stories of the buck that just got away or that awesome golf shot he made would always make him smile. I never hunted or golfed but watching his smiling face as he related the stories was always fun. And, it was always about the people he was with, and not the events themselves he liked to talk about. A friend in need, he was there for him.
Family was always important to him. For his brother & sister. Brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. Whether it was golfing or giving good advice - they would turn to him for it. And, it was always good, well thought out advice. He wasn't a college graduate, but his wisdom spoke volumes about him.
He was a wonderful support to his parents. He seemed to be older and wiser than his years. Maybe he was just born that way or had to mature quickly. He was the rock in his family holding things together. Especially helping to take care of his father and mother. It's just who he was.
He was a wonderful father and grandfather. Doted and loved his grandchildren. Imparting his wisdom whenever he could. They enjoyed every moment with their grandpa. Growing up, Kim and I were encouraged to chase after our dreams. He also taught us not to give up when things wouldn't go easy. I grew up pretty smart and lots of things came easy to me. But, he taught me that it was hard work and perseverance too. Not to stop or give up right away when you came to a hurdle. He worked long hours at the steel mill. Still, he showed up to baseball and softball games, came to school events. Don't recall him complaining about being tired. He still was there for us.
For my mother, he was the right husband. Forty-five years in this day and age is a testament to their love for one another. He said they were the happiest years of his life. He was her support, helping keep her strong, and shouldering the burden if she couldn't. He never had to say he loved her (though he did) - it just showed.
He taught us many lessons in life. He taught me what it meant to be a man and a husband. I learned sarcasm from him, though he was the master. That love was not just words to be spoken. They were actions shown to the people he loved. People never doubted they were loved by him, they just knew. He always gave to others. He was the person who would give you the shirt off his back.
On his last day, as he struggled and we tried to get him to rest - he looked at me and said "Please". This has haunted me, but time has passed. The same man who carried me as a child, steadied me while teaching me to ride a bike, and who I leaned on for advice, was relying on me. Being his son, having learned many lessons from him - I wasn't going to fail him on this day. I prayed over him and helped him to take the final steps home.
His impact was greater then he ever imagined. Everyone here has been touched by his presence, even those who never actually met him. I think he would be surprised at the turnout here today. I don't think he realized how many lives he touched. Knowing him, he would wonder why all the bother - he just did what was right nothing special. But he was special to all the lives he ever touched. He lives on in our memories, stories, and lessons he taught us. Until the day we see him again. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow - he was my hero always and forever.
On behalf of my family, we would like to thank all of you for your prayers and sympathies during this time.
My father was an impressive man. In fact, he invented the remote control when I was a small child. He would have my sister or I sit next to the TV and he would call out what channel he wanted to see. Thankfully, we got a real remote control before we got cable TV. I don't know how tired our arms would have gotten from changing all those channels.
One of the things about my father is that he owned so many tools. Always seemed to have the right tool that was needed for any occasion. I remember most his wooden handled screwdriver. Maybe it was one of the tools I recognized when he named it. Most of the time I would bring up 3 to 4 tools in the hopes I picked the right one. But not the wooden handled screwdriver. I knew that one. I don't know how many things he built, tightened, or fixed. It just seemed to be so many things. It was always there when it was needed. Kind of like my dad, always there when needed.
You will hear many things throughout this eulogy about my father. They will be dependability, giving one's word, and family. My father was always available to help others, not because he wanted a pat on his back, but because it was the right thing to do. Even if he had disagreements with family, if they need it, he would give his help. "Family is family" he would always say.
That's the thing with dad. He was there for us. For his friends, golfing, work, and hunting. Telling stories of the buck that just got away or that awesome golf shot he made would always make him smile. I never hunted or golfed but watching his smiling face as he related the stories was always fun. And, it was always about the people he was with, and not the events themselves he liked to talk about. A friend in need, he was there for him.
Family was always important to him. For his brother & sister. Brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. Whether it was golfing or giving good advice - they would turn to him for it. And, it was always good, well thought out advice. He wasn't a college graduate, but his wisdom spoke volumes about him.
He was a wonderful support to his parents. He seemed to be older and wiser than his years. Maybe he was just born that way or had to mature quickly. He was the rock in his family holding things together. Especially helping to take care of his father and mother. It's just who he was.
He was a wonderful father and grandfather. Doted and loved his grandchildren. Imparting his wisdom whenever he could. They enjoyed every moment with their grandpa. Growing up, Kim and I were encouraged to chase after our dreams. He also taught us not to give up when things wouldn't go easy. I grew up pretty smart and lots of things came easy to me. But, he taught me that it was hard work and perseverance too. Not to stop or give up right away when you came to a hurdle. He worked long hours at the steel mill. Still, he showed up to baseball and softball games, came to school events. Don't recall him complaining about being tired. He still was there for us.
For my mother, he was the right husband. Forty-five years in this day and age is a testament to their love for one another. He said they were the happiest years of his life. He was her support, helping keep her strong, and shouldering the burden if she couldn't. He never had to say he loved her (though he did) - it just showed.
He taught us many lessons in life. He taught me what it meant to be a man and a husband. I learned sarcasm from him, though he was the master. That love was not just words to be spoken. They were actions shown to the people he loved. People never doubted they were loved by him, they just knew. He always gave to others. He was the person who would give you the shirt off his back.
On his last day, as he struggled and we tried to get him to rest - he looked at me and said "Please". This has haunted me, but time has passed. The same man who carried me as a child, steadied me while teaching me to ride a bike, and who I leaned on for advice, was relying on me. Being his son, having learned many lessons from him - I wasn't going to fail him on this day. I prayed over him and helped him to take the final steps home.
His impact was greater then he ever imagined. Everyone here has been touched by his presence, even those who never actually met him. I think he would be surprised at the turnout here today. I don't think he realized how many lives he touched. Knowing him, he would wonder why all the bother - he just did what was right nothing special. But he was special to all the lives he ever touched. He lives on in our memories, stories, and lessons he taught us. Until the day we see him again. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow - he was my hero always and forever.
Chris: It was a beautiful eulogy! Bill.
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