A Tribute To One Of The World's Greatest Fathers

William J Easterling

June 22, 1931 - Apr 13, 2016

Note: The following was written in early April 2016 as my Dad entered hospice care so it could be shared with friends and family after his passing and with him before he passes. We had a precious time on Apr 8 with me reading it to him.

As my father has gone on to be with Jesus, I want to share this tribute with friends and family to show a sampling of the many ways I respected and loved him, and to show how I could not have ever wished for a better father.

Obviously, when looking back at 50 plus years of memories, one must pick and choose highlights. So please keep in mind that these are but a small sampling of memories and character traits that rise to the surface in my grief.

Bill and Jo Ann on day of their 50th wedding anniversary party

Loyal/Committed- One of the many blessings both my Mother and Father gave me was a living example of being permanently committed to spouse and children. My parents have loved each other faithfully for over 63 years of marriage, in sickness and in health, and (as I write this) will shortly achieve the vow of "'til death do us part". This kind of commitment is no small feat. It is one I have enormous respect for. Death however will only end their earthly time together, certainly not their love for one another. My father has devoted himself to my mother's care these many recent years under the heart breaking circumstances of Alzheimer's, making many selfless decisions in his care for her often over what would be best for his own health and quality of life. Even in one of his final acts, that of moving to a memory care facility in Niceville several months ago, he showed his unselfishness to both Mom and me as he desired to have the best care for her and to not be too much burden to me.

Bill's High School Pic

Caring/Involved Father - I have a silly but precious memory of being miserable with measles and him coming home with a guinea pig to cheer me up. (It worked.)

I recall the patience he exuded as he taught me to drive in a gigantic empty parking lot off of Broad Street in Columbus, Ohio, and I accidentally ran his relatively new silver Chevy Caprice over a parking bar. I know it stressed him a great deal inside, but outwardly he reassured and encouraged me and I knew he really loved me.

Speaking of messing up new cars ... that reminds me of the time they picked me up from a week at a "horse" camp in their brand new Buick Regal and they had to ride the several hour trip home with me smelling like I'd just finished mucking out the barn.

I have memories of his supporting me with his presence at my many basketball/volleyball/softball games (in Jr. High) and my band concerts (in High School and College) as well as my big game as quarterback in the "powder puff" football game at Walnut Ridge.

We enjoyed special Father/Daughter outings together like the Millersport Corn Festival where we got a kick out of the way the vendors yelled "HOOOOOOOOT HAAAAAAM HEEEEEERE" and we still make that same call together today for fun.

I had a special time with him at concerts and plays he'd take me to such as seeing Benny Goodman in Columbus on his 80th birthday or the show of "Annie Get Your Gun".

I loved the times I got to go with him to an OSU football game or the times we went to the Columbus Clipper's games and I caught a foul ball and got it autographed by Dale Berra, Yogi Berra's son. Another big highlight was the time he took me to see the Harlem Globetrotters playing at St. John's arena.

We had great family vacations to Calloway Gardens, Pipestem State Park and mini-vacations to Cincinnati for Red's games and the King's Island amusement park.

Bill (as I remember him from my Jr. High/High School Days)

Inspiring - I believe one of the most positive influences in my life is due to the fact that both my Mom and Dad instilled in me the belief that I could do anything I put my mind to. I know that my belief in this, due to their belief in it for me, has helped me live a healthy, well-adjusted life with self-esteem and there is very little more important any parent can offer a child than this.

The one thing more important, however, they did offer me - the chance to grow up learning about Christ as Savior. They didn't just take me to church, but rather lived out before me an example of people who tried to follow God's will for them, living humbly and at peace with others, following the golden rule of "treating others as you would want to be treated", and offering thanks and worship to our worthy God. I very clearly remember being inspired, during some of my early times of stressing over career decisions, by my Father sharing with me that he always entrusted his many career decisions to God and that it always worked out. I saw that simple faith lived out from day to day.

My Dad has always been a gentle man. He has been very wise with his money, not drawn to material extravagances, but rather wisely saving to be able to take care of their financial needs late in life yet being generous to give to those in need and to organizations helping make the world a better place. He gave of his time as well volunteering at his church, the Lion's club and the local hospital.

Mentor - In addition to inspiring me, I've been able to learn over recent years the role he played in so many others lives by living out these same simple values of his faith. In his career as a manager in the business world, he worked with many people who have shared with him or with me how much of a positive impact he made in their lives, by encouraging them and helping them learn many of the most important lessons for living a good, successful, balanced life. Additionally, many of his family and friends have expressed the same sentiment. How blessed we have all been to have had our lives touched by this gentle, loving, inspiring man.

Affable - I admire how just about everyone who meets my father for even the shortest time comes away saying how much they love him or think he's really great (and meaning it). He's always struck up a friendly relationship with anyone and everyone. He was often the life of a party with his cheerful countenance and many jokes to tell.

I have been actively involved in caring for my parents for the past several years as their physical health has declined. I know Dad disliked the thought of being a burden to me and my wonderful husband Scott (who has enjoyed, loved and cared for them as though they were his own mother/father). In response, I often told Dad he shouldn't feel bad because he and Mom had PAID IT FORWARD. I didn't just say it to make him feel better. I sincerely meant it. How can one begin to repay people who were ALWAYS there for them in every up and down of life? It has been my honor and privilege to do all I can to support him in all stages of his earthly journey, and my few years of caring for them pales in comparison to all they both have offered me in TOTAL and UNCONDITIONAL love that has changed my life for the better forever.

Dad ... I've been fortunate to not only have you as my Dad, but as one of my best, closest friends. You'll always be close in my heart and I'll always miss you terribly and look expectantly and joyfully toward the day when we'll all be reunited again in the next life with our Savior who is the very definition of love, and who blessed me with so much of it when he allowed me to experience the best parents on earth.

Please click/tap on the image below to open a small gallery of images of my Dad at various times and with various people. Hover or tap on the image to see navigation arrows for the next image.

Finally, if you'd like to make comments, share your own thoughts about Bill or images, etc., please visit this online memorial setup for that purpose at billeasterling.muchloved.com