Sunday, June 24, 2018
To Julia and Family: I was so saddened to hear of Billy's death. Although we fell out of touch, I have known him since elementary school and have often thought of his sweet, good nature. It may seem like a crazy thing, but I have a very clear memory of Billy in PE class. Maybe it was 5th or 6th grade. We were given what, for some of us, was an impossible task: climb a rope all the way to the ceiling of the gym. There were a number of kids who scrambled to the top in a flash, but some of us struggled just to get off the ground. I remember Billy trying and failing, trying and failing, but laughing all the while, his cheeks reddened with the effort and his shock of black hair springing up wildly. He wasn't defeated, he persisted, and he thought his earthbound state was a giant piece of hilarity. It's funny how that silly memory contains such an important life lesson.
My condolences to you all. Billy will be missed.
Randi Londer Gould
