March 31 2011- we flew out of Burbank at 3:10 pm into Dallas Fort Worth. This trip was last min. Because on Thursday night we got news that Bill- seths dad- had a stroke. After landing in Dallas, cousin Jennifer Petty picked us up from the airport and drove us to Tyler TX, where Bill was airlifted to, from Quitman TX. We arrived at ETMC around 11pm. The Cali crew went in to see him, he was none responsive and on a ventilator. We stood, gazed, cried and each one of us told him we loved him. An hour or so later Kadance and I went to the hotel room and the boys stayed at the hospital. Nanaw didn't want her son to be alone in the hospital. The next day, Saturday, we meet with the Doc. The Dr broke down what happened and tried to explain what was damaged. This stroke was not good... It happened in his brain stem, where all motor skills are based. Pretty much the Dr said he can't breath on his own and if he did get the smallest amount better he would have to be in a bed and taken care of 24/7. So this was the time the family had to decide what to do and what Bill would want done. Heads started turning to Micky for those answers. Micky said they had talked about this "if" and he voiced that he would want to be taken off the ventilator and would not want to be left like this. So through many tears the family decided to say goodbye and let Bill go home. Everyone went in and said goodbye and their I love you's through out the day. Around 330-345 on April 2nd we walked hand in hand, silently down the hallway to his room. Gathered around his hospital bed, said i love you once again and watched as he passed on. I'm not sure the exact time of death, but I think it was about 3:50pm. The next few days following were pretty hazy. We stayed in Tyler one more night, in the morning on Sunday we drove to Dubach, LA, where Nanaw lives and where Bill grew up. Visitations were on Tuesday and the funeral was on Wednesday. Visitation and funeral was at Hico Baptist church in Dubach. Bill was laid to rest next to his father at fellowship cemetery.
Bill - You will be forever loved and missed!!! May you Rest in Paradise and Peace with Ashley and your Papa!!! I am happy to have been able to stay at you house on the lake last year in May. Seth and I both had such a great time! I will always remember getting up every morning and you having eggs and toast out, ready for me to make my potched eggs! I love you and am so happy that you are my father-in-law!
