My cousin Bill died yesterday following a battle with his own body for almost eight years. He was 70 years old.
I spoke with his mother Eloise this morning about my admiration for the courage Bill had displayed throughout his confinement as well as his wife Donna’s steadfast support while she helped her husband through the difficult activities of daily living. Eloise said simply, Bill was a trooper.
Yes. Not all troopers are in the armed services.
This weekend is Memorial Day, and I am immeasurably grateful for every soldier who serves today to protect our country from harm. I appreciate their families, their personal sacrifices, and the bravery required to face our enemies at home and abroad. These enemies multiply even as we alienate our friends and struggle to identify ever-changing battlefields. In the midst of a chaotic world our military personnel are asked to protect and defend us with their own lives if necessary. Thankful seems like such a small word for what our soldiers do, but thankful is how I feel.
My cousin Bill had a very real foe in his war with his health, but he won’t get a medal or ribbon for his valor. Instead, in the end he was surrounded by the love of his family and the hope that he will be remembered as a good man who refused to surrender during a very long haul. A worthy legacy.
my cousin Boybaby swinging
with his sister Frances pushing him,
me climbing the ladder, and Bill trying to ignore us
playing on a swing set at my home in Richards, Texas
circa 1952
only children Bill and me at a family reunion
Bill’s maternal grandfather was my paternal grandmother’s brother, and his maternal grandmother was my paternal grandfather’s sister – sometimes our reunions were confusing, but our families were close and loved each other.
I will miss Bill. Rest in peace, cousin.
I'll Call It Like I See It 
Comments
15 responses to “William “Bill” Chester Powell (April 26, 1947 – May 25, 2017)”
Oh, Sheila, we are so sorry for the loss of your cousin and send Soft Pawkisses to comfort you ❤ ❤ ❤
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Thank you so much, Granny and Binky…
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I’m so sorry for your loss and the loss to your family. xo
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Thanks, Luanne…He had a long, long journey but a family that loved and took care of him throughout. Good people, too.
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It’s a shame that he had to suffer, but I’m glad he had good people around him.
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You were lucky to have him in your life, and he you.
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Thank you for understanding that.
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Sending you all my love. ❤ I'm sorry for your loss.
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Thanks so much – your kind words are very heartwarming.
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I wish I would’ve read this prior to dinner yesterday…I would’ve given you an extra hug. Thank you so much for once sharing you family with us and I am sorry for your loss.
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Thanks, Jenn…I didn’t want to add to the blues at dinner. A rough day for everyone yesterday.
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It’s always hard to hit like on a sad post, but I know analytics require it.
I’m so sorry you face another loss, Sheila. From the photos, you and Bill seem like brother and sister. He is no longer suffering. You have your memories, but still a yawning void separates you from much loved and always missed family. Time only dulls the ache.
Sending more love!
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Ann, I know you are sending love, and I really am grateful. Bill and I were very close as children, but as we grew older and I left Texas, our contact was much more sporadic. He got sick when we moved to Worsham Street, though, so I got to visit him again…this time in hospital rooms. We re-connected, and it was so good.His mother (who is 93) and I are both genealogy nuts and I love to hear her family stories. I fear for her now, too. Yawning voids and chasms…the best way to describe the losses that pile up.
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All you can do is enjoy every visit and phone call with her. Are you writing down her stories? I’ve written many of Mom’s and my remaing maternal Aunt’s (94), but I wish I recorded some of them. She agreed to it, but I never got around to it. Time flies!!
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Honestly, Ann, the best way is to record them, and I have not. Shame on me. I was so wrapped up in recording, transcribing, writing the stories of the 21 lgbt community organizers in SC for two years I put my recorder away. Burnout. But I need to retrieve it.
I am so glad you’ve written so many of your mom and aunt’s stories! I am thinking memoir here…
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