SWA
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Hello,
It is with a very heavy heart that I share the sad news of the passing of a lifelong family friend, Mr. Bill Long. For those who may remember, Bill's Gospel singing group, The Floridians, are the ones who sponsored us to be able to host the fund raiser event we had last year for the Paisley Tornado Victims and their families.
Aside from that day, Bill has been a daily part of our family, as he was also the partner owner with my sister in her store that she has owned in Winter Garden, FL, for many years now. Long before their partnership of the store though, my sister's husband, Geoff and their son, Myles were also members of the Floridian's gospel quartet, up until just the past year or so when they retired from the group. Bill though, kept strong with the Floridians, as he always had since the group's conception way so many years ago.
The last time I saw Bill, as his normal self, was last month at my nephew's wedding, when Myles and April were married in January. He was his old jolly joyful self as he merrily DJ'd through the wedding reception event with lots of family sentimental Gospel songs. He was so full of such happiness and the words he spoke so highly regarded of my nephew, Myles, and how in all his years he never knew such a heart for God as he witnessed over the years as he did in watching Myles grow from a young boy into a finely astute young man. He was so proud of Myles on his special day, and it showed in his smiling eyes and through the words that he spoke throughout the whole event.
Then only a week later Bill was hospitalized, originally diagnosed with already advanced menengitis. This later further progressed to his auto immunities where his brain began to severely deteriorate. The weeks that followed were hard for him, for his wife, for his family and dearest friends. Namely, my sister, Becky who loved Bill, DEEPLY as if he were a father to her, and Grandfather to her three boys, Myles, Geordan & Caleb. Though the weeks were hard physically for Bill, and emotionally for all who loved him...the faith of one and all was never diminished. Praise God.
Well, as of around 11:30 this morning, Bill went home with our Lord. My mom called me just a bit ago, and then I called my sister, Becky. She is understandably beyond heart broken, but she knows he's with God now and no longer in pain. Still, it just hurts that he's no longer "here" with us. Same for Bill's wife and family. Heaven have mercy on them?
Please, if you could spare a moment, I'd be deeply grateful for your time in prayerful support of Bill's wife and family, and all of us who loved him just as deeply. Especially, for my sister Becky.
For a memorial of Bill, and the testimonial blog of his life's journey, please visit the Floridian's website at:
http://www.thefloridians.org/
Thank you for your time and prayers. God bless and be with, always.
In His Hands,
Tanya & Family
It is with a very heavy heart that I share the sad news of the passing of a lifelong family friend, Mr. Bill Long. For those who may remember, Bill's Gospel singing group, The Floridians, are the ones who sponsored us to be able to host the fund raiser event we had last year for the Paisley Tornado Victims and their families.
Aside from that day, Bill has been a daily part of our family, as he was also the partner owner with my sister in her store that she has owned in Winter Garden, FL, for many years now. Long before their partnership of the store though, my sister's husband, Geoff and their son, Myles were also members of the Floridian's gospel quartet, up until just the past year or so when they retired from the group. Bill though, kept strong with the Floridians, as he always had since the group's conception way so many years ago.
The last time I saw Bill, as his normal self, was last month at my nephew's wedding, when Myles and April were married in January. He was his old jolly joyful self as he merrily DJ'd through the wedding reception event with lots of family sentimental Gospel songs. He was so full of such happiness and the words he spoke so highly regarded of my nephew, Myles, and how in all his years he never knew such a heart for God as he witnessed over the years as he did in watching Myles grow from a young boy into a finely astute young man. He was so proud of Myles on his special day, and it showed in his smiling eyes and through the words that he spoke throughout the whole event.
Then only a week later Bill was hospitalized, originally diagnosed with already advanced menengitis. This later further progressed to his auto immunities where his brain began to severely deteriorate. The weeks that followed were hard for him, for his wife, for his family and dearest friends. Namely, my sister, Becky who loved Bill, DEEPLY as if he were a father to her, and Grandfather to her three boys, Myles, Geordan & Caleb. Though the weeks were hard physically for Bill, and emotionally for all who loved him...the faith of one and all was never diminished. Praise God.
Well, as of around 11:30 this morning, Bill went home with our Lord. My mom called me just a bit ago, and then I called my sister, Becky. She is understandably beyond heart broken, but she knows he's with God now and no longer in pain. Still, it just hurts that he's no longer "here" with us. Same for Bill's wife and family. Heaven have mercy on them?
Please, if you could spare a moment, I'd be deeply grateful for your time in prayerful support of Bill's wife and family, and all of us who loved him just as deeply. Especially, for my sister Becky.
For a memorial of Bill, and the testimonial blog of his life's journey, please visit the Floridian's website at:
http://www.thefloridians.org/
Thank you for your time and prayers. God bless and be with, always.
In His Hands,
Tanya & Family
