February 2007 my wife and I purchased our first home. After weeks
of looking we finally came across a house that matched ALL the criteria she
wanted, and almost met all the criteria I wanted…when her criteria was opposite
of my criteria, you can guess whose won. We came across a house that had just fallen into our price range, so we took a
look. By that evening we had a contract on it, this is where the story just
begins.
We did not know how this house would end up being a blessing
for not just our family, but for others. Since we have bought this house, we have
now had two different families live with us while they were in need, we have
hosted holidays and birthdays. But what sticks out to me, and what I always
tell people, I love my neighbors, I couldn’t have picked better ones. Well that
leads me to today…
Over these years I have got to know most of them, but none
as much as I have Willie. Here is the strange part, Willie is 40 years older
than me! But that didn’t matter, Willie and me would have endless talks out in
the driveway, in his garage, over the fence and in his front room. If Dawn was
trying to find me, and couldn’t, first place to look was always over at Willie’s.
What did we talk about all the time, nothing that solved world hunger, nothing
that would get anyone an award or any sort, we just talked. Anything and
everything. Willie and his family made us feel like a part of their family,
from dropping off smoked meats that were extra, to birthday and Christmas gifts
for my kids, even getting Ephrem a life jacket to be used so he could swim in
the pool and be safe. When Willie bought a new lawn mower, guess what he did
with his old one, he gave it to my family. Didn’t ask for anything in return,
just wanted to help us out. That is who Willie is, was and will always be. That’s
why Friday was so hard, see my friend lost his battle, lost his hard fight. He
gave everything he had till the end.
No more driveway chit chats, no more looking out the window
to see him just standing there looking out over his driveway, no more seeing
his caring smile…
Willie was just a neighbor, right? No, Willie was a great
friend, from a different generation, who had great stories, stories that I won’t
be able to hear anymore…
Goodbye my friend………
Willie Whitener 9/16/39 to 8/17/12
