Remembering the trail of love left behind by a cherished friend--what a legacy he left for us.

He was the kindest, sweetest and most gentle man I have ever known. He was big and tall in stature but as meek and humble in Spirit as a small child. It was because of his huge giving heart and generous nature that Bill left behind a trail of love everywhere he went and he impacted everyone he met. He greeted most of us with a warm hug and a kiss on the forehead. Because of his towering size, this gesture was easy and natural for him and it gave each recipient an extra warm feeling of love and appreciation.

I will always remember Bill for the kind words he shared every time our small group came together. So filled with compassion for others, Bill busied himself in many helping ministries like the prison ministry for inmates, with love from Jesus and Soup Kitchen ministries for the homeless and disaster relief and recovery with the N.C. Baptist Men. He was an active Gideon—placing Bibles in places the average person could not get into and sharing the love of Jesus wherever he went.

Bill’s life and the trail of love he left behind reminds me of a song that came out a few years ago entitled ‘Legacy.’ The song was about leaving something behind after we are gone and wondering how we would be remembered. A beautiful song that gently reminds me of the lifestyle Bill led.

He left behind a legacy in my own heart as I recall how much Bill’s physical appearance reminded me of my own daddy; however, his gentle Spirit far out-weighed my dads. You see, my daddy came to know Jesus just months before his time on earth ended. Bill was everything to me that my daddy could have been had he allowed God to direct his life. Bill was an earthly depiction of the kind of love our heavenly Father wants on display—filled with kindness, love and compassion. I fondly recall that Bill was always busy loving God and loving others and folks, that is exactly what this life is all about!