Villagersonline : blogs : Mike

From: Mike_Wise
Date: Fri Apr  5 15:45:57 EDT 2013
Subject: Bill

Responses
Carena: Rejoice (4/6/13)
Karen: Test (4/6/13)
Karen: Jeremy's thoughts about Bill (4/6/13)

Ron: Final Four (4/7/13)

Karen: Film buffs (4/6/13)

Suki: Bill the Cheerleader (4/7/13)

Mike_Wise: From Ashton (4/7/13)
Mike_Wise: Thanks Bill (4/7/13)

Responses (sorted by date)
Mike_Wise: Thanks Bill (4/7/13)
Mike_Wise: From Ashton (4/7/13)
Ron: Final Four (4/7/13)
Suki: Bill the Cheerleader (4/7/13)
Karen: Film buffs (4/6/13)
Karen: Jeremy's thoughts about Bill (4/6/13)
Karen: Test (4/6/13)
Carena: Rejoice (4/6/13)

Our friend and brother Bill Kemmeries left us to go home to Jesus on the evening of 4/3.
He loved Jesus, loved basketball especially the U of A, he loved talking music and movies and he loved all of you.
I thought I would make a thread where we could share our memories and stories about Bill. We are a young church and a small church so losing one of our own is never easy.

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From: Carena
Date: Fri Apr  5 20:27:50 EDT 2013
Subject: Rejoice

My conversations with Bill were short and far too few. They revolved mostly around food and movies; two interests we had in common. Two things stand out for me about Bill; the man was always smiling, I liked his smile. The other is how he took communion; I enjoyed watching his solemn reverence as he partook of the bread and wine and would proceed to the corner of the sanctuary to speak with God. I liked that. I praise Jesus for the moment in Bill's life I was able to share; praise Jesus for taking Bill home and giving him freedom from the brokenness of his flesh and of this world. I will miss you Bill.

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From: Karen
Date: Sat Apr  6 11:39:29 EDT 2013
Subject: Test

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From: Karen
Date: Sat Apr  6 11:43:36 EDT 2013
Subject: Jeremy's thoughts about Bill

Karen told me last night and it makes me sad. I will miss talking sports and fundraising strategies with Bill. I will miss hearing the occasional ice cube dump and Diet Coke opening during services at the village. I admit Bill was often annoying, as he interrupted conversations with non sequitors, just trying to be part of the conversation. However, I had to remember he was on a lot of meds. But I have hope as I know Bill was a big Jesus fan. Bill will have his NCAA Basketball Final Four Party with Jesus, Paul and Peter in heaven this year. I bet they have unlimited Diet Coke refills.

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From: Ron
Date: Sat Apr  6 21:30:05 EDT 2013
Subject: Final Four

Bill had made arrangement's with the apartment complex to reserve the clubhouse, the day before he died. That was his Christmas, Birthday, and Easter, all tied into one single secular event, but the real show was not the game, but Bill, being himself, Loud and in the face of the screen, making sure that the players saw and heard him, all those miles away. He loved that Game. I remember one game where one of the friends of Bill fell asleep, even with Bill in full force, and what a mighty force he was. Hoop it up dude!!!! Take it to the rim, and take whip those elbows around.

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From: Karen
Date: Sat Apr  6 11:52:54 EDT 2013
Subject: Film buffs

Bill and the film critic Roger Ebert died on the same day. I became a movie buff watching Siskel and Ebert's PBS show with my dad when I was a little girl. Not a month went by that Bill didn't ask me about movies I might have seen recently, although I've been too busy the last few years to watch as many as I used to.
I am picturing Ebert standing and hesitating outside of heaven's gates (whatever that looks like in reality). Bill with his big smile and big stride walks up behind him, saying, "Heeeeey, aren't you Roger Ebert?" continues to ask Ebert to give his thoughts about this year's Oscar winners, then somehow brings it around to a discussion about Jesus.

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From: Suki
Date: Sat Apr  6 20:06:29 EDT 2013
Subject: Bill the Cheerleader

I experienced Bill primarily as a cheerleader. He was always super encouraging about the Village and often commented on things he liked about the music or some new song we had just introduced. If my weakness was ever the subject of an example in one of Eric's sermons, he would assure me that Eric was clearly deluded in just this one area.
I will miss Bill, his constant smile, and his love for Jesus, but I celebrate that he has headed home!

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From: Mike_Wise
Date: Sun Apr  7 12:30:51 EDT 2013
Subject: From Ashton

Ashton wrote me and asked me to share this for her.
She said the last thing that Bill ever said to her was
"you're going to be a beautiful
women".

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From: Mike_Wise
Date: Sun Apr  7 12:40:50 EDT 2013
Subject: Thanks Bill

So a few months ago I wrote a post on here, a really painful post where I talked about my inability to give my wife a child. It was a hard thing to write and it is still a reality that I am living in. The post was a letter directed at God and it apologized for not being better than I am not only in that area but in many areas of my life.
Bill, who I don't think I've ever seen actually post on here, read that letter and he talked to me about it the following Sunday. He grieved with me, and said he was and would continue to pray for me and the situation. Such a simple thing but it will be something I remember forever. That is just who Bill was, a kind gracious person who even though he struggled with mental illness he always put others first.
I'm gonna miss you Bill. Thanks for being my friend.

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