March 1, 2014
With tremendous sadness we write to let you know that our beloved son and brother Billy was received by Jesus into the Kingdom of Heaven early this morning, at 1:12 am. He died from the many complications caused after his long battle with Cancer. Billy’s death was beautiful. He waited for the arrival of his sisters and then shortly after midnight he began his final battle.
In our hearts we are convinced that our Lord granted Billy his miracle. He survived his cancer for seven years, the significant and holy number revealed in Scripture. On March 1st in 2006 Billy was granted a new life after his successful liver transplant, Billy always called March 1st his New- Birthday! He was given a brand new life. We all knew that Billy lived his life before Cancer to its fullest; he did the same with his New Life after cancer, for the next seven years! Through the grace of God, today March 1st, 2014, on his 8th birthday of receiving this gift of life, he was born again into eternal life, in paradise!
Billy accepted his Cross heroically. On May 28th 2013 Billy had his final “VATS” surgery. The last nine months truly became for us a time of expectation, waiting with great hope and labor. His final hike to the mountain top was difficult and painful for our Billy. But in the last moments we believe it was a labor of love and faith which open the door to his birth into the kingdom of God! And seeing our son’s faith and their brother’s courage our family rejoices today with new found wonder at what God has in store for those who love Him! And so our Billy enjoys today, another New-Birth day.
Rest assured all your prayers have been most powerful especially last night helping Billy to gain entrance into Heaven on his anniversary of surgery. He had a happy, peaceful and beautiful death surrounded by his family with Billy's good friend and fellow cancer survivor Fr. Greg Ames leading the way for us. Billy and Fr. Greg supported each other spiritually, emotionally and physically during each of their battles with cancer. And as Fr. Greg always told Billy, we would be there to help him reach the summit of life’s highest mountain. Surrounded by your prayers and love Billy stands on that glorious summit today, with Jesus, Mary and all the saints and angels of heaven.
We will all have a giant hole in our heart not having Billy around, but know he will remain with us now in a new way. For as we say in a Catholic funeral, “When the body of our earthly dwelling lies in death we gain an everlasting dwelling in the Kingdom of heaven. For one who has faith life is changed not ended!” Thank you for your faithful prayers all these months. We will forever be grateful for your constant love and concern for our Billy and for our family.
Billy’s final gift to our world was his donation of his corneas in gratitude for the liver he received 8 years ago. Even in death, he was thinking of others.
May God bless you always as your have blessed our Billy and his family with your constant prayers.
Love
Eileen, Bill, Jen, Katie and
of course, our Billy
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