"Mr. Bill" Carlisle, as my children have always called him, was such a person. I remember meeting him around twelve years ago. He, along with his sweet wife, June, had begun worshiping at our local congregation. I knew they both loved music, and I so enjoyed getting to know them as fellow members of our praise team. Bill had a quiet, unassuming way when I first met him. He was soft spoken and genuine. As I got to know him, I learned of his comical side, and how he loved a good prank or joke. From his flaming red suit to his rockabilly stage presence, Bill was one of a kind!
Bill was a genuine joy to be around, and he loved his family, his friends, and his music. As part of the Grand Ole Opry for decades with his father (Jumping Bill Carlisle, Sr.), he was a master musician. He had a beautiful bass voice, and loved to use it in our praise songs at church.
Bill was probably the kindness man I've ever known! When he became a business associate of my husband's, he used to brighten our days quite often. I was working with Jeff at the time, and many days we would be working away, and we would hear a "vroom-vroom" outside. It would be Bill, pulling up on his motorcycle. He was just coming by to see us, sit and have a cup of coffee. He would sit in the front office with me, and tell stories and jokes, while Jeff, and his partner, Tim, were busy with the everyday life of financial planning/insurance business. He'd stop his stories if I had to answer the phone or greet another customer, and then he'd just continue from there. He might sit there and talk for an hour or so, and then just get up, and say, "Well, I guess I better let you get back to work!" Just sweet Bill in his loving and unassuming way!
A little over two years ago, Bill's and Jane's lives were forever changed after a tragic motorcycle accident. The doctors were astounded that Bill lived through the trauma, but he did. Paralyzed from the neck down, Bill's spirit never waivered. His faith in God never left him. His love for June never grew any dimmer, and her love and devotion to him seemed to grow every day. He spoke in a breathy voice, but he said was "here" to do God's work as long as God wanted him "here." He was ready to "go home" two years ago, but Bill still had a lot of teaching to do with us.
These past two years, he has taught us so much from a bed and a wheelchair. He taught my boys that you never give up no matter what happens to you. When they both saw him shortly after the accident in a rehabilitation hospital in Atlanta, it really bothered them. They had been used to seeing him so active--singing on stage, or riding his bike. I remember Conner asking me if I thought "Mr. Bill" would ever get to play his guitar again.
Well, Bill never physically played that guitar again. His body failed him over the past two years, and we prayed that somehow God would heal him, and we could have him back just like before. That was not God's plan for Bill. God's plan was for Bill to stay with us for a short time longer. Then, last week, God's plan was for Bill to leave us. God's plan was for Bill to come "home" to Him. Bill always knew that God's plan was so much greater than ours.
So, this week, we will all say goodbye to Bill, and we will celebrate a life well lived on this earth. A Godly man, who honored God even in a tragic circumstance. A Godly wife, who showed us the meaning of true commitment and love for a spouse. Bill has gone away from us, but he has truly changed those who knew him forever. Our season with Bill is over for now, but so much of him remains
with us always.
My Jeff put it in a sweet way when I called him to tell us Bill had left us. Jeff said that he could just imagine Bill "jumping for joy" with a new body and no more pain. I imagine him, guitar in hand, grinning from ear to ear, and telling a joke to the angels! Heaven is all the sweeter with Bill Carlisle there, and I look forward to seeing him again some day!
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