On Tuesday night……..about 11:30pm central standard time my cell phone rang, it was my mother, I KNEW this would not be good news as it was 6:30am in South Africa.   I was right, she called to let me know that Uncle Billy had passed away.  For those who know we well know that we have ridden quite a roller coaster with Uncle Billy during the past 12 weeks…..but that I do not want to get into here, here I want to share memories, photos and a beautiful song (dedicated to Uncle Billy by his daughter Audrey) as a tribute to an amazing man.

I had the good fortune of knowing Uncle Billy my entire life.  I remember countless nights at either our house or theirs with the ‘old folk’ getting down to some good partying, dart playing, dancing, braai and ‘adult beverage’ consumption, while us kids would run around, swim, play and get up to general no good.  All the time spent in Weltevreden Park as a kid I’m sure we could have claimed residency in the neighborhood.
Who could ever forget, the men shouting at the TV during the Transvaal/Gauteng Lions vs Western Province rugby games, a rivalry that will live on I am sure, Uncle Billy the always faithful Province supporter and Dad always yelling for his Lions.  I must say, if I remember correctly, the Lions lost a lot more then they ever won, but always a reason for a braai, some beer and tons of memories for us all.

My fondest and funniest memory of time spent with Uncle Billy and Aunty Lyn would definitely have to be the ‘monkey’ incident in Cape Town involving Audrey and myself, and of course most everyone else was there to enjoy it!!!  A memory that we still talk of to this day, at the time I was in Grade 2.   I will never forget this day as long as I live and I’ll cherish this as well as literally thousands of other memories, close to my heart.

We lost a father, to four amazing daughters, a grand father, a best friend, and most importantly a GREAT MAN!!!!!!

Although I cannot be there, for obvious reasons, Uncle Billy will be laid to rest at a celebration of his life on Friday September 9, 2011 at 11h00, at St Michael and All Angels Anglican Church, Cornelius Str, Weltevreden Park.

Click on title below to hear the song on YouTube – http://youtu.be/uuMR_NH55aY

Alter Bridge – “In Loving Memory”

Thanks for all you’ve done
I’ve missed you for so long,
I can’t believe you’re gone
You still live in me
I feel you in the wind
You guide me constantly

I’ve never knew what it was to be alone, no
Cause you were always there for me
You were always there waiting
And ill come home and I miss your face so
Smiling down on me
I close my eyes to see

And I know, you’re a part of me
And it’s your song that sets me free
I sing it while I feel I can’t hold on
I sing tonight cause it comforts me

I carry the things that remind me of you
In loving memory of
The one that was so true
Your were as kind as you could be
And even though you’re gone
You still mean the world to me

I’ve never knew what it was to be alone, no
Cause you were always there for me
You were always there waiting
But now I come home and it’s not the same, no
It feels empty and alone
I can’t believe you’re gone

And I know, you’re a part of me
And it’s your song that sets me free
I sing it while I feel I can’t hold on
I sing tonight cause it comforts me

I’m glad he set you free from sorrow
I’ll still love you more tomorrow
And you will be here with me still

And what you did you did with feeling
And You always found the meaning
And you always will
And you always will
And you always will

Ooo’s

And I know, you’re a part of me
And it’s your song that sets me free
I sing it while I feel I can’t hold on
I sing tonight cause it comforts me