His Eulogy

I wanted to post the eulogy that was delivered for Bill at the service. I've posted it below.

The chances of meeting a man like William Henry Hesseltine Jr. is a rare occasion for any person. Everyone here today would agree that there has never been another soul on Earth as unique as he was.

The true question is...what made him unique? What made him Daddy, Dad, Husband, Brother, Granddad, Uncle, friend? I knew him as Uncle Bill and many of you knew him differently. But the one word that truly explains what made him unique in all our eyes is...hero.

One of the characteristics of a hero and of Uncle Bill was courage.

When his mother passed away leaving his father and a young sister behind, he stepped up and helped provide the support his family needed. He showed courage when the easy road was available. In doing so, he took on a father figure role in his sister's life and helped guide and raise her into the woman she is today.

When he put on the United States Air Force uniform to serve his country, he did so with courage. He served overseas to keep the freedoms we all hold dear for generations to come.

When he was offered advancement in his military career, he showed courage in making the proper decision for his children. He turned down the opportunity for advancement so his children could be raised in the appropriate environment.

As a hero, my Uncle Bill was a man you looked up to and admired.

He was a God fearing man who strived to do what was right by his family, friends, God, and country. He knew what he believed and he lived it.

As with any hero, he also had numerous stories he had of his time in Vietnam and the various measures he took to keep his sanity. I think many of you can recite the phrase he said each morning before going out in Vietnam.

He not only told good stories but he created good stories. Numerous holidays, family celebrations, and just good, quality time with Uncle Bill always provided memories that we will always cherish.

As a hero, he also left a legacy. What that means is that we will never forget him.

When we pick blueberries, his memory will be with us.

Anytime we deal a game of cards, we won't be able to help thinking of the many ways he avoided dealing and passing the responsibility on to the person to his left.

Whenever we catch the smell of old spice or the hint of a cigar, we will instantly be taken back to the times he spent in our lives.

Whenever we see a well organized pantry with everything in it's proper place, we'll smile with thoughts of him.

Each time we ride on a pontoon boat on the lake, the sound of the wind in our ears will serve as his voice speaking to us and telling us he loves us.

Although he is not physically here, he will always be with us.

Finally, as a true hero that touched our lives, Uncle Bill lived with character.

For those of us blessed enough to know him, we all knew there was no better way to get to know him and his character than to simply play a game of Tripoly or Chinese Checkers with him.

It was at the game table that he taught his children, grandchildren, sister, niece, and nephew his approach to life. It was also at that table that he taught us all about what family meant. No matter your past, no matter how well you played the game, there was always a space at the table with Uncle Bill.

At the game table, if he bested you, he let you know. But what we all learned at that table was the ability to keep going when the odds are stacked against us. We learned how to properly celebrate victories without berating those who didn't succeed. We learned how to praise and love each member of our family even if they didn't always win. We learned how to live our lives with the attitude, fortitude, and conviction of a man we will all remember as simply...a hero.