Wednesday, January 17, 2018
"Bill G" as most of my Family knew him ... growing up in St. Louis ... was my first cousin. Although 19-years my senior, he was really something between an uncle and a cousin. In the years growing-up, he was kind and attentive to me. I knew that he liked me but his attendance was primarily because of his deep and abiding love of his "Uncle June" ... my Dad. I have stayed in-touch with Bill with Christmas Cards and (usually) a Christmas call ... at some time around the Holiday. We would have great talks about the larger Manchester Family and, being older, he always had stories and facts of which I was unaware.
When I was about 15, it became apparent that my Dad (his Uncle June) had a serious degenerative disease and that it was not going to get better. Many of his friends dropped-off during the ensuing years because it was too painful for them to see this great Man in this state of decline. There were only a couple of people that did not "drop-off" ... and Bill was one of the very few. Bill was not a perfect Man. None of us are. But for me ... and my Family ... he would show-up. And I will never forget those times when he did.
God Speed Bill G ... Rest in Peace!
