To all of Billy's faithful Prayer Warriors,
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
