|
|
Memories of Bill
I had the privilege of watching Bill grow up as my parents lived across the street from Waldo and Dorothy (his parents.) They too were special people... I baby-set Bill and Dottie Gene at various times... Bill walked in his sleep and when he would come down the stairs, we would sit in a chair and visit about many things and then would take him back to his bed.. he never woke up during this time.. He was a physically large child and he would come and sit on my Dad's lap which almost looked out of place but according to age it wasn't. He and his friend Doyle were sitting on the bank opposite my parents home one day and shot a BB gun and it just seemed to go through the dining room window at my parents home. I will always be glad that when passing through the Phoenix airport on the way to Seattle last June, I called Bill and talked to him...He graciously took the time to talk and I will never forget it. We are so sorry that he and Pauline are no longer with us but know that our Heavenly Father needed them with Him.
Peace, Bill and Norma (Queck) Huff
Greenfield, Iowa
Bill's death was very difficult for me to accept, and I appreciate the opportunity to share some stories, and recall the Bill that I knew and now fondly remember.
Bill and I attended Drake University Law School together, graduating in 1964. We became friends quickly, and shared many hours fishing in local ponds and rivers.
One day, Bill and I rented a boat and motor and put in the Des Moines River one day. It was Spring and the water was high. We floated downstream, enjoying the day and the few catfish we caught.
I was operating the motor on the trip back upstream to our car and boat trailer. We had to negotiate some fast water between huge snags created by fallen trees which had washed away during the Spring rains. We were just about through the worst of it when the motor quit, and we were swept downstream. This happened several times, and in frustration, I pulled too hard on the starting rope, and pulled it completely out of the motor. Bill handed me a screwdriver so I could remove the cover. I was able to get all of the screws out except the back one. It just wouldn't budge. We kept floating downstream, out of control.
I told Bill that I couldn't get the last screw out.
"It has to come out," he said.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Because we will never get out of here unless we get the motor started. Here, let me try," he said.
Bill strained and struggled with the screw. Badly stripped, it wouldn't turn. Then Bill did something that was hard for me to believe. He grabbed the cover with his huge hands and "peeled" it back, bending the metal and exposing the flywheel. I was then able to wind the rope around the wheel manually and start the motor. Once more we tried to navigate through the snag. We were just about clear when the motor stopped for the last time. The fast water swept our rented boat into the snag. There was just enough time to grab a branch before the boat disappeared.
I looked at Bill. He had a hold of a big branch with one hand, and his tackle box in the other. My tackle box and rod went down with the boat. We both struggled to get on top of the limb and we sat there deliberating our next move. Bill was closest to the nearest river bank.
"Can you swim to the bank?" he asked.
"I think so," I said, "but I'm afraid to jump in. We might never come up!"
"I'm going to try it," he said. With that he straddled the limb and removed his boots. After tying them together, he flung them towards the nearest shore. They didn't make it. He was going to try to swim with his tackle box in one hand, and I persuaded him to throw it towards shore. The tackle box fell into the river, 10 feet from the shore.
Suddenly, Bill jumped into the fast water, and came up swimming. He made the shore and was able to retrieve his tackle box and boots. He watched carefully as I jumped in. I made it to shore and sat exhausted on the bank.
Bill said, "What are we going to tell the guy where we rented the boat?"
Bill hadn't had contracts yet so I told him, "Let me do the talking!"
We spent most of the afternoon helping the owner's sons retrieve the boat and motor. It was a scary experience at the time, but we laughed a lot about every time we saw each other.
=============================================
Bill and I, and our mutual friend, Mike Phelan, were not what you would call small, by stature. I must have been the smallest at 235 pounds. Anyway, Bill called Mike and I to help him move a chest freezer from somebody's basement.
Bill was there when we arrived and told the two of us to take one end of the freezer, and he would lift the other. Mike and I went up the basement stairs backwards. All the weight was on Bill. Halfway up, he asked us to stop, and he sat the freezer down and took a break. Mike asked him if he wanted to switch with him. Bill said, "OK, if you want to." Mike tried to pick up the freezer, and it pinned him to the wall. Bill immediately replaced Mike and we finally got the freezer outside the house.
"That was the heaviest freezer I have ever moved" said Mike, lifting the door. "My God, Bill, it's full!! You didn't even empty it!"
"Why?" said Bill, "we'd just have to carry up the frozen food later."
========================================
I stopped to see Bill in Arizona 16 years ago. I was amazed at the law practice he had built, and his resemblance to Kenny Rodgers. After visiting with him at his office, my wife and I went on our way. We lost track of each other until a short time ago. I got an E-Mail from Bill, with the subject, "The lost is found!" I wrote Bill back immediately, and we brought each other up to date on our families and our lives. His last message to me shortly before his death contained the following, and I quote:
At 11:13 AM - 9/26/2000, William W. Don Carlos wrote:
"Stay in touch and let me know when you are coming
this way. We should really organize a fishing trip, you, me and Phelan
before one of us kicks off. That would really be fun."
I miss my good friend, Bill.
Rod Pearson
Battle Creek, Iowa
===========================================
Rod & Nancy Pearson Web Page http://pionet.net/~theinn/
The Inn at Battle Creek - Battle Creek - IA - 51006
E-Mail theinn@pionet.net
===========================================
(Contact information printed by permission of Mr. Pearson)
Dear William:
On behalf of the Sun City Scots and especially myself I wish to offer my condolences on the tragic death of your parents. They were a highly respected couple in the community and have done so much for others.
They were proud of you too and within five minutes of sitting in your Dad's office I learned of your Scottish sojourn and musical talents.
I met your Mom once when your parents came to our Kirkin' and she was very gracious. As you played that day I am sure their chests were swelling with pride. Your dad was most helpful in his professional capacity and I felt like I was his only client.
Now laddie they have stepped into the "highlands". Be secure that their eternal welfare is assured if by no more means than their contribution to the lives of so many.
Muster your talents and play laments with every bit of love you had for your dad and mom.
This is an old Gaelic prayer I have modified:
The Blessing.
Be these souls on Thin own arm, O Christ,
Though King of the City of Heaven,
And since Thine it was, O Christ, to buy the soul,
At the time of the balancing of the beam,
At the time of bringing in the judgement,
Be it now on Thine own right hand,
Oh! on Thine own right hand.
And be the holy Michael, king of angels,
Coming to meet these souls,
And leading them home
To the heaven of the Son of God.
The Holy Michael, king of angels,
Coming to meet these souls,
And leading them home
To the heaven of the Son of God.
The Lord be with you.
Bill Pollock
Sun City, AZ
I will always consider Bill as a best friend. First meeting occurred when I ran an ad for someone to share in ownership in my airplane. Bill's secretary said to meet him at Deer Valley Airport, and he would be 6'4" inches tall, full beard, wearing a brown sport coat and beige pants. I said, "Guess what. My name is Bill, I am 6'4" tall, wearing a brown coat and beige pants, with a full beard."
When we met, I asked him if he was an Aries also, as I am. He said his wife was an Aries, he was a Virgo. My wife was a Virgo and I am an Aries. I next told him that if he was driving the same car as mine, a Datsun 280 Z, I was leaving. He said, " I drive a 280Z" Small world. We both then bought Porsches.
With his beard, Bill was a Kenny Rogers look-a-like. With my beard, I was the same as Merlin Olsen. We made dinner reservations under the names of Olsen and Rogers.
We had several fishing trips together. he was first a friend, then a patient. What a loss. I will miss them both.
Bill Risley
William B. Risley, Sr., D.C.
"....Goddess T moves slowly through her crowd of admirers, looking off to something in the distance that no one else can see. Her feet barely seem to touch the ground, even though she moves so slowly, almost dazed, and a hushed murmur grows among them. "What, she's leaving after only one joke?", "I don't hear the tinkling bells of her laughter," "Is that a tear I see at the corner of Goddess' eye?".
Her chin falls to her chest. She stops, lies down among them, slowly moves her hands away from her chest, and shows them her soft underbelly, the very center of her vulnerability. The crowd moves towards her, cautiously, quietly, "Look. I think that's her heart glowing and pulsing in there!",
"Maybe it's her brain".....
A child moves toward the Goddess, and the crowd parts for her. "You're all wrong. It's her soul." The child draws her finger over the Goddess' chest. "See how it's slightly cracked in places and scarred? You can track her life up to this point! It's like a journal of her emotional travels."
An onlooker, peering ever closer, points and queries, "What's that dark spot right there?"
The child, having the acute inborn empathy that only children and animals possess, softly replies, "That's a recent wound, where a little piece of her soul has withered away and died. A tragedy has crossed her path."
The onlooker, puzzled, asks the child, "But why would she show us this, why now? She has always been the strong one among us."
"She wants to remind us that we are all mortal, and even the hidden angels among us sometimes fall to earth too soon," proclaims the child.
*******
I first met Bill Don Carlos in 1977, and then we crossed paths again in 1979 when I was working at the Phoenix office of O'Connor Cavanagh. I'll never forget that day, as all the young women on the 18th floor were so excited that the "young good-looking guy" from the Sun City office was going to be there to see clients. Someone must have been watching for his car out the window, because a flurry of activity started down the halls: Every girl was putting on lipstick, fluffing her hair, and preparing to walk to the copy room. It was as if they expected a movie star to get off the elevator.
Well, I had to see what all this was about. I stood just around the corner from the elevator. I watched the doors open. Then I saw the biggest human being I had ever seen (I'm short, okay?), wearing a polyester jacket, Levi flares, and COWBOY BOOTS. I was transfixed by those boots. I said to myself, "Why, he's just a big ol' farm boy!"
In 1985, I was hired by Bill Wahl and Bill Don Carlos to work at the Sun City office of O'Connor Cavanagh. I continue to work for Bill Wahl, at The Cavanagh Law Firm. I also helped with MMERCI back in the early days, both from Sun City and in the computer setup at the ranch. My boys have fond memories of both Bill and Pauline Don Carlos, and the ranch.
My family and I feel honored to have known them.
My personal belief is that we are doomed to repeat our mortal lives until we learn how to give to the world, love without conditions, and pass this inner peace and beauty on to all of those around us. Some people are called home early, because their work here is done.
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth--and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up--that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it were the only one we had."
~ Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
LUV/HUGS/KISSES FROM
THE GODDESS
(Jean Gallagher-Kieselburg)
William and Mike: What a great obituary and tribute to your Dad and Pauline. They certainly were special people and will be missed by many friends and family.
Thanks for including us in the e-mail list. You boys did an excellent job of writing the tribute. I'm sure it wasn't easy! I have been reading the daily reports of the accident and investigation in the Arizona Republic on-line and making copies to send to Grandma Zeihan. She is also extremely upset by the accident!
Again, we wanted you to know how sorry we are for the events of this week. We certainly have been thinking about you guys a lot. Your dad and mom were the first ones Aggie and I visited when we picked up Elizabeth at the adoption agency in Omaha, back in 1972. Greenfield was on our way home from Omaha, so we stopped in to see them. We also remember the day your family flew to Marshalltown for dinner--you may be too young to remember--but your Dad took all of us for a plane ride over Marshalltown before you headed home.
And, of course we visited your family one Christmas in Arizona when grandpa and grandma Zeihan stayed in their camper in your driveway! I'm sure you have many happy memories of time spent with your Dad!
Again, we wanted to express our sympathies, and will do so this way in lieu of a card, since we are not sure of an address. Please relay our sympathies to Mike, also. I will make a copy of the obituary/tribute and send it to grandma Z.
Jerry Zeihan
At Bill's Sun City West Office, we try to take time out to celebrate the dates in our lives, sharing lunch or breakfast for birthdays, telling stories, and spending a little personal time together. One of our own recently got married, and Bill was one of the guests at her bridal shower at the office; we had a nice dinner, and settled in for gossip and jokes. The best laugh of the night came while Bill was explaining the wide and sometimes inappropriate repertoire of one of his parrots:
"Sometimes that bird almost seems to make sense," he growled, putting on the temporarily serious face he used right before a punch line. "Like when I come in and it hollers: 'Pauline! Bring me a beer!' " At this point, he couldn't keep from grinning, "`Course it didn't work out, though; had to get my own beer . . . ."
*******************
This site was a good idea - thanks for opening it up for everybody to contribute. Your folks are loved by so many people for their generous hearts; it's nice to see you guys have inherited the trait.
J Denison
Recollections of the Don Carlos family beginning near the turn of the century in Greenfield, Iowa, with the birth of five sons to William Wesley and Lola Emma Don Carlos. William Waldo began his life in 1941 with the first name, from his great grandfather William Wesley and his second name from his father, Waldo Emerson. Both were successful, outstanding men in their times. Our dear friend Bill will be remembered for his emulation of these dedicated family namesakes, who believed and practiced the teachings of the bible in all their personal and business dealings.
We, the surviving members of the Don Carlos family, have the challenge to carry on the high ideals and morals of our forefathers, just as Bill accomplished in his shortened life span.
As you were shocked and saddened on hearing the news of your father's accident, so were we in Greenfield. He was a great employer and true friend and will always be remembered. We felt bad when he left the Greenfield law office; but when he came back for a visit his personality hadn't changed and always remembered us. We share in your sorrow.
Irma Jacobson
TO OUR LOVED ONES
In our heavenly home of beauty
paved with streets of purest gold
We now live within His presence
in a splendor yet untold.
And He came to meet us quickly
arms outstretched to lead us home,
And within the arms of Jesus
we have never been alone.Now there is no pain or suffering--
all the tears are left behind--
And we wear His crown of glory
with such peace of soul and mind.
So do not grieve dear loved ones
for there's work for you to do,
And it must not go unfinished,
Jesus planned it just for you.Live your lives with Jesus shining--
tell the others of His love--
They must know a room awaits them
in this mansion high above.
Then when your work is finished
and He comes to lead you home
We'll be at the gate to meet you,
Oh, what joy to see you come!
Frances Jeffers Pattin
(secretary to Myron Shapiro)
Email your story
Join the Memorial
Mailing List
Copyright © 1999,
2000 William Don Carlos. All rights reserved
Revised Wednesday, March 07, 2001 03:29:23 PM