Bill

https://www.indianagazette.com/obituaries/william-brian-neese/article_a6232c2e-357d-11eb-a861-336a99eb0a62.html

 Looking for his name in the funeral home obituaries is the hardest thing I have ever done.

It doesn't seem at all real and when I look at my phone and see his name in the contacts or a recent text message, my heart sinks.  

My brother, William Brian Neese, transitioned to Heaven in the early morning hours of this past Sunday, Nov. 29.  He had just turned 68 on Nov. 4.

After I got the word, there were so many phrases and scriptures running through my mind . . . 

"The Lord giveth, the Lord taketh away."  I've heard that scripture all my life.  It was a faith statement of Job that he followed up with "Blessed be the name of the Lord"  Augh -- Those words stick in my throat.

John, the apostle wrote -- "I was in the Spirit on the Lords Day."  On Sunday as my mind was trying to grapple with the devastating news, I couldn't help but think about the reunions that were taking place right then in Heaven.  I could imagine my Mom & Dad at the gates so excited to see their youngest come home just as they would wait for him to come for a visit.,   Best of all, Bill was seeing Jesus face to face.  I have never felt more linked to Heaven.

Hebrews talks about us being surrounded by such a great Heavenly crowd of witnesses -- Bill is now in that circle cheering us on.

So many of my people die on Sunday . . .  both my grandmothers, my mother passed late on a Sunday night.

For all of them, Sunday was always a special day.  Char went to wake Bill to get ready for Church on this past Sunday.

Growing up we shared a rich family life of close community in our local church. We 3 kids grew up on the hard pews of Central & Madison and Vaughn Hill Church of Christ.  Those people were like aunts and uncles to us.  

Bill and I had just texted a contest back and forth to see who could remember the names of all those folks.  10 points to the person who could remember a story or a first name for each person we would suggest.

Our parents took us to family lectures at David Lipscomb -- it was a big church conference with something for every family member. We all 3 graduated from Lipscomb and it was at Lipscomb that Bill and Char met. 

As he grew in years wherever they moved the Church was central in Bill and Char's lives.  Bill's strength and quiet wisdom were an integral part of his leadership

8 years ago, Terry and I got to visit with Bill and Char at their home in Iowa.  Bill was leading the singing and it brought back the dearest memories of when my dad would do the same.  Bill looked and sounded like dad and it took me back all those years.

I've spent the past few days with so many Bill stories coming to mind.  

Bill was the one in our family that kept things lively.  As my cousin Mary said, there was always so much joy and laughter around him. 

 As a little boy he had a vivid imagination -- with his imaginary farm (always the farmer at heart) he would relate vivid stories of what his farm workers were doing that day.  It often mirrored what Mr. DeWerff, the farmer next door was doing -- harvesting, combining or plowing.  He would often watch out the window of his first grade classroom to see what the farmers were plowing that day in their nearby fields.

 

Bill was the most athletic one of us 3.  Whatever sport, he took it on with the utmost energy.  He would ski, bicycle long contests in the heat in his later years, even teaching skiing.

That creative world opened doors for him later in the world of Agri-business.  Bill became a successful businessman managing grain shipments all over the world.

The land was important to Bill.  He was loyal to John Deere tractors growing up and would love to hang out at the repair shop. Berry farming in the rich soil of PA was a love of his.  Bill has always been a hard worker.  

Bill inherited the Brian humor which included lots of pranks.  Bill preyed on those of us who were gullible and could make us believe all sorts of wild stories. When I was about 8 - he almost convinced me that I was adopted because as he said, "This family only has boys."

For all his antics and humor - Bill was wise and his wisdom went deep.

If Bill were here today in these times of world chaos -- he'd be giving us something to laugh about and he'd insert good counsel for navigating these difficult days.

Bill and Char have raised two strong sons who modeled his love of family, the church, and the outdoors. His humor and creative nature is evident in both of them.

Bill and Char created lots of projects together.  .  . I just put up one of those in my Christmas decorations.  Bill the builder -- Char a gifted painter and quilter.

As Bill retired a little over a year ago, -I wondered- why are Bill and Char moving back to PA when their boys live in different states?

I believe that God goes before us and prepares the way.  I've seen it over and over -- Char, our Father prepares the way before us.   He moved you back here into this wonderful country filled with family, memories of great times raising your sons and a strong Church community.

HE will walk you and your precious family through this time.

Bill's legacy of faith is being passed on to Casey, Layne ,Tyler and Emily and these 6 beautiful grandchildren:  Ivy, Will, Caleb, Oliver, Theodore and Eleanor.