Tuesday, July 14, 2020
This describes my buddy Bill...
“Do not let yourself be bothered by the inconsequential. One has only so much time in this world, so devote it to the work and the people most important to you, to those you love and things that matter. One can waste half a lifetime with people one doesn't really like, or doing things when one would be better off somewhere else.”
― Louis L'Amour, Ride the River
"One to ride the river with” which meant that someone (such as a cowboy) can be trusted. Cowboy lore gave me those words, which I used at a company dinner celebration for Bill in the early 80's & true to this very day. Bill was all that & much more to me for the past 44 years. He was more than the best friend of my life! He was closer than any sibling could ever be to me. Our spirits were joined & co-mingled. Our lives were in perfect tune with each other.
He was a man of the utmost integrity, honorable always. He was practical & had the most common sense of anyone I have ever known, a deliberate thinker... A special human being!
I cannot explain why or how we melded & bonded together but we just did.
We both loved Doo Wop music but he knew all the groups from the northeast. We (along with Deb & Marion) enjoyed “oldies goldies” from the 60's-70's & always had it playing in the background. Bill, Debbie, Marion & I went to South Florida Oldies concerts. We watched Bo Diddley at Disney World together. We played darts to the wee hours of the morning. The Coconut Grove Art Festival of bringing a cooler & laying a blanket on the grass, listening to various music. Boat outings & going to the Keys. Football games & Doug Flutie’s Hail Mary pass, the Fins, the Orange Bowl. We loved eating out at so many various restaurants in SFLA, trying everything. The four of us would also have so many fine meals shared at each others homes, experimenting with our taste buds. Deb & Marion were the best chefs, but he was no slouch at culinary arts. We became wine snobs together as a foursome, with Deb & MJJ branching out to making their own. Bill & I played at brewing beer which was always a hit & miss for us, but we had fun with it. We roasted pigs & enjoyed home brewed beer & wine. He never forgave me for introducing him to “Yukon Jack”, as he broke out in hives. We four enjoyed each other’s company & always had lively, interesting conversations to the wee hours of the morning. We enjoyed holidays together with our families & friends, especially Thanksgiving & Christmas.
Bill was a devoted husband, father, son & sibling. He & Deb are so in love, complementing & bringing the best out of each other. I remember how proud he was upon Kelly’s birth & how he strived to be the best father he could be to Kelly & Allison.
Jack Lemmon said, “Death ends a life, not a relationship.” Bill will be with us always. He has not left us but has gone ahead to scout out our next life. Get us good seats Bill. I am right behind you buddy!
Love ya
Marion & Bill Julson
