From Ken and Anita Maynard…

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BILL……..A LITTLE LATE

BOY HOW COULD I MISS OUT ON WISHING YOU A GREAT BIRTHDAY?  SHERRIE AND I STARTED A NEW BUSINESS AND I HAVE BEEN SO BUSY WITH IT I DID NOT READ THE MAIL UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE TO SENDYOU A BIRTHDAY GREETING.            

WHEN I FIRST SAW THE NOTE FROM YOUR GIRLS I THOUGHT O BOY WE ARE GOING TO GET TO GO TO A BIRTHDAY PARTY.  THEN I REALIZED THEY JUST WANTED MY NOTE AND I HAD TO GO OUT AND GET MY OWN ICE CREAM.        

ANYWAY, I HOPE YOUR BIRTHDAY WAS BEAUTIFUL AND THAT YOU AND SHARON WAS HEALTHY ENOUGH TO ENJOY IT.          

BILL YOU AND HAROLD ARE TWO OF THE BEST GUYS THAT I KNOW AND IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO KNOW YOU BOTH AND CALL YOU FRIEND. WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE TIME WHEN WE CAN BE WITH YOU AGAIN.        

HAROLD TELLS ME THAT SHARON HAS BEEN SICK.  I HOPE THAT SHE IS GETTING BETTER.  GETTING OLD BRINGS A LOT OF TIMES WE NEED HEALING FROM GOD DOESN’T IT.  JUST THINK,  EVERYDAY BRINGS US CLOSER TO BEING WITH OUR LORD.  SOMETIMES IT MAKES ALL THE PAINS NOT SO BAD.         

ANYWAY HOPE YOU CAN CELEBRATE YOU BIRTHDAY FOR THE ENTIRE MONTH.        

KEN AND ANITA

From David and Marsha Myers…

BILL, BILL, BILL !!!    70!!!!!!!  Unbelieveable.  Maybe on the outside but certainly not on the inside.  First of all—I am so sorry this is late.   Can’t believe I slipped up.  You know that is not a reflection of our love for you both….just “woops” let it slip up on us.  I do apologize.  One of the first things I remember is a S/S party (cook out/bon fire) at somebody’s house and you came in a clown’s costume—even makeup!!!   Of course your “instant” laughter…it is a great as the teaching you did way back when!!!  The “Britt’s Brigade” was born at a party at our house.  You remember the one where Sharon creamed Sid with a water balloon and he sat down the rest of the night.  Ann’s “poem” she wrote for you both at the “Weezer Party!”  aka–your going away party.  The birdhouse David made you ended up with it…from a Christmas Party I think.   We love you both dearly…always will.
  HAPPY BIRTHDAY….Love, Marsha and David

From Emily Kacyvenski Goode…

Happy Birthday, Mr. Britts…..a day late.  I am thankful for you b/c of the excellent example of a father you are.  You have loved me thru Caroline, and you have loved me when I have had the opportunity to spend time with you.

Thank you.

Emily

From Kat…

HAPPY 70^TH BIRTHDAY!!!!                                             *****************************

Dear Bill, 

I wish we could be there to help you celebrate this  one ….looking back it seems like yesterday that Ramon and I shared a pizza with you in your apartment at UT.  I think that was my first taste of Pizza!  We have had some wonderful times over the years as our children grew up and we shared visits with Jeanne , Sunya  and families  along with Dad Britts in Kingsport. Speaking of Family, I will attach a photo of you and your siblings from the weekend in Shady last summer. 

Here’s wishing you many, many, more

and a long and happy life!!!!      

Love,  Kat

From William…

Gahk gahk gahk gahk. Gahk gak gak. Yeeeaaaaaa!

Love, William

 

From Todd…

Happy Birthday Bill! 

I am most thankful for how you impacted Parker while I was living in Korea.  I can’t wait until you can spend some more time around William too.  You were much like Parker’s father while I was gone and he needed that time with you.  He would always talk about you on the phone with me and how you had watched rubbish with him or how he had helped you with something.  You made that time away just a little more bearable and I am so thankful you were there. 

Here is also some video of one of my favorite memories with you.  Have a Great Birthday.

Love, Todd 

From Parker…

I love Grandaddy Bill because he watches rubbish with me.

I hope you have a good time watching rubbish with Alex and Claire and Evan. Have a happy birthday! I wish I could go to your birthday. I wish that you were here right now. If you were here I would want you to squash me like a bug. I wish you could talk to me on the phone right now. 

Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Biiilllll.

Happy Birthday to you!

I love you!

From Parker

Chicken Fooooot…

Editor’s note:

After reading Daniel’s message (below), John Van Horn added the following:

How could I forget “chicken foot”!!!! You haven’t experienced chicken foot until you play by Bill’s rules and you have to get the sound just right, including the pitch and hand motions. I haven’t thought of that in a long time. Bill, you are incredible and I love it!

John VH

From David…

Hey Granddaddy! Happy Birthday! I hope its amazing. I hope i could be there to celebrate it with you and eat some of your cake. I’ve been reading through all of these messages and laughing at all the memories that all these people have with you. You are certainly loved and cherished by many many people including myself. I think one of the best memories for me is you taking me out every other week to a movie, or to play putt putt golf, or to dinner. We spent alot of quality time on those nights and i didnt realize it then but they helped me out alot through the years. Your guidance, knowledge, love, and kind words were an amazing blessing. I wish we could still do that. You were such a good father to my momma, especially after the divorce and moving back to Georgia. Times were certainly tough but just being at your house with you and grandmama seemed to make her so happy. I can only hope and wish that some of that rubbed off on me when I’m a father.
Your kindness, love, passion, sense humor and general love of life truely do make a role model and an amazing human being. If I become even half the man you are i will fell blessed. I love you and miss you very much Granddaddy. I hope this day is one you will never forget.love,
David Williamps. CHICKENFOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!

From Daniel…

Happy Birthday Granddaddy!

I wish i could be there to play chickenfoot with you.
Hope you have the best birthday ever.

Love,
Daniel

From John & Patty Van Horn…

Hi to all,

Wanted to get in on the fun with my ol’ pal Bill. We have such fond memories of times spent with the Britts’ and it would take a book to list them all. We go back a long way. I think of all the time at College Park and how our lives were so involved with kids and church. My favorite memory, we were on an adult church retreat in the mountains of NC, sitting on a front porch, in a rocking chair (we didn’t need them then like we do now, right Bill?) eating Bit-O-Honey candy and having the best time telling stories and wondering what our kids were doing! I just have one question for you Bill, why did I gain all the weight and you just stayed the same? My other favorite memory is playing tennis with Bill (yes, he can play tennis even if he says he can’t.) It’s all part of his game, he messes with your head before you even get on the court!! Remember Bill? We took on anyone who would come and play us and we won!! You always said you were older than me, but I didn’t believe it because you moved so much better than most out there. I’ll always remember the “dynamic duo” with fondest memories.

My other favorite memory ( I told you it would take a book to list them all) is your sense of humor, so contagious and infectious and usually got me in trouble somehow. My son will still let go with a call of “YOU KOSHER DILL PICKLE!” I’ll let you explain that one to all your friends, that one is on you!

Now for the most favorite, PYRAMIDS!!! I dare you to explain that one!

As you can tell, I love my brother Bill and his lovely wife and family. We miss you all and pray God will Bless your socks off (that’s another Bill’ism) and hope your birthday is really special.

Thanks for letting us be a part of your life.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY DEAR FRIEND!

JOHN & PATTY VAN HORN

From Linda Dees…

Happy Birthday Bill!  Our lives have intersected with the marriage of Caroline and Todd.  With their marriage has come an even stronger tie with the births of Parker and William.  We have celebrated weddings, births, birthdays, and going away and coming back events.  Of all those celebrations, of course, the most significant and blessed has been being there for the births of Parker and William.   A more recent celebration was Caroline’s birthday in July, 2005.  I remember it fondly because you, Sharon, Caroline (pregnant with William), Parker, and I spent the day at Dollywood.  This was my first visit to Dollywood, and since you and Sharon have taken friends there many times, you were the perfect pair to give me a tour of the park.  From taking turns riding the rides with Parker, watching the shows, and eating funnel cakes, the day was great!  My personal favorite was the funnel cake.  How about you?  Over the years I have been witness to a man’s living out his Christian testimony through his relationships with his family and friends.  The words respect, integrity, unselfishness, and sense of humor come to mind when I hear your name.  Respect – from family, church friends, and others who know you; integrity – your sense of honor ; unselfishness – my personal witness the year you and Sharon encouraged Caroline and Todd to spend Christmas with me because you knew I needed them; sense of humor – your jokes with Parker and with your girls.  As you turn 70, look fondly at a past of which you can be proud, but don’t stay there too long.  I’m sure God doesn’t intend to waste the gifts and talents he has given you.  You know the saying:  “Today is the first day of the rest of my life”.  I’m looking forward to seeing and hearing about the great things you’ll be doing in this new chapter of your life (Have you considered a visit to Japan?  You know how much you enjoyed Paris!).  Happy 70th Birthday!  Linda 

From Allen Davidson…

Bill,

Happy Birthday, and I hope you have many, many more.  I want to convey my deep appreciation for having you as my father-in-law.  Though circumstances haven’t allowed me to be with you as much as I would like, I always enjoy visiting with you.  You are interesting to talk with and you have a great sense of humor. You have a wonderful wife and family and, from my perspective, you are very blessed.  I feel blessed to be part of your family.

I hope you’ll do something fun on your birthday.  I would make a joke about stopping over at the neighbors and having a sip over the still.  But, one of my engineer friends at work, that grew up in your neck of the woods, has informed me that such a stereotype doesn’t really fit the larger segment of the population there any more.  Whatever you do, have a great time.  I look forward to seeing you again. 

Love,

Allen

From Eric Britts…

Happy 70^th Birthday Bill!!!!! I want you to know how much it has meant to me having you as my uncle. J  I have many fond memories of our families being together and of visiting you in Atlanta.  On one visit you and Dad were lying on the floor watching TV and everybody started yelling “Look! Twin Heads!”  We all agreed that you and Dad did look a lot alike at the time. We will all be thinking of you and wish you a wonderful birthday. 

Love,

Eric  

From Jordan…

Dear Grandaddy,           

I have had lots of fun spending time with you and Grandmama during the summers going to Dollywood and Gatlinburg etc. Im sure there will plenty of other great memories like those to be had. I love you and hope you have a very good birthday.

           I love you -

                    Jordan

                

From Sharon…

A gift of 70 birthdays….

How wonderful!

Thank you Lord for giving us Bill!

From that first awkward meeting on our blind date

to the present time….life with you has been a joy. 

I admire you for so many things… Your love for the Lord ~Your love for your daughters and their families~

Your ability to teach and make people comfortable and relaxed in a classroom setting ~

All the years that you supported the girls and I all by yourself without complaining ~

Your unselfishness ~

Your slow deliberate thoughts when there is an important decision to be made ~

Your kindness to all people…not matter what their “standing” in society ~

Your wisdom ~

Your strong hands ~

Your protectiveness to your family and friends ~

I love the way you crack me up laughing with such silliness as pretending to have “clown feet” and other such nonsense!

You are so young at heart and I treasure each moment with you ~

You are my best friend and l love you dearly.

Happy Birthday Bill!

Love,                                                                                                                 Sharon

From Jenna…

Dear Bill,

I  hope you have a Happy Birthday!

Love,

Jenna

From Candith…

Dear Bill,

I wish you a Happy Birthday!

We love you!

Love,

Candith

From Pat Kuehn…

Happy Birthday, Bill!  You are such a precious friend to me, and I thank God for you!  One thing that comes to mind when I think of you is something that occurred when the Ford plant shut down for some reason for a time years ago.  You delivered the morning newspaper and became a blessing to so many of your elderly customers.  You didn’t just throw their paper when the weather was bad, you hand carried it to their door.  I never once heard a complaint from your lips about the work or the inconvenience.  I have always admired and respected your marvelous attitude during that time.  And I love it that we are sports buddies.  There are so many more things I could say, but I’ll leave some cyberspace for others to express their delight in knowing you!  You and Sharon and your dear daughters are all special gifts to me, and to Harold.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!  LOVE AND JOY!  Pat Kuehn 

From Harold Kuehn…

Bill, the years have gone by so quickly!  God has really blessed me by meeting you almost 40 years ago, and you becoming my best friend.We have shared a lot of laughs together, but also you and I have been able to share our hearts with each other.  I don’t think that there has been a thing that we have not been able to go to each other with.  You could ask me a question and say what would you do, or what do you think about this, and I might say I don’t know for sure, but I’ll be praying with you for an answer.  It was good to just talk about any problem we had.    I remember us attending a men’s breakfast at New Hope one Saturday and afterwards you and I walked the “blue line” and talked.  This is one of the many special times that you and I have shared together. 

Let me quit rambling and say “HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY FRIEND” wishes for many more!

I have always admired your Christian walk!  I love you like a Brother.

Harold Kuehn

From Erik Connard…

Bill,Happy Birthday. I hope you have a wonderful day and get plenty of cake. I have thought about you and your life many times and have come to a realization that you are a hero, role model and spiritual warrior. I see how you guide your family now and I’ve heard many stories how you guided your family when they were all still under your roof. Bill, I feel very blessed to have my stepfather in my life. Jim came into my life when I was a young teenager and helped me through some pretty rough times.

The reason I mention this to you is because I want you to know that my love for you is as strong as it is for Jim. I find myself looking at your life, not with a jealous eye but with a student’s eye, in hopes of emulating some of your wonderful traits. I know I kid a lot and have a very weird sense of humor, much like you I’ve been told, but this is from the bottom of my heart, I love you very much.
I pray that I can make an impact on my family as you have done so with your family. I have heard all of your children tell wonderful stories about you and how you have helped them throughout their lives and are still helping and willing to drop everything on a moments notice for them. I can not tell you enough that not all fathers love their children as you do.

Fortunately for me, I found that Jim loved me enough to drop his life and be a father to me when I needed one the most. I pray everyday for my wife and tell our Lord how much I am thankful that she is in my life. She is such a wonderful woman Bill. Thank you for loving her the way you did. Without your influence and love, she would not be as wonderful as she is. Just know this on this day, you are a hero, role model and a spiritual warrior for so many people. I love you.

Erik

From Shelley…

Dear Daddy, 

Some of my earliest and fondest memories involving you are memories of you playing tennis with friends and letting me tag along to watch. To me, you were the greatest athlete on earth.

This past year, I was asked “What is your favorite Christmas memory?” I have many favorites, but my very favorite has always been this one: Every year, after decorating the Christmas tree and turning on the lights for that first “Tah-dah!”, I always loved looking at your face and seeing your smile and seeing the reflection of the tree lights in your glasses. It seemed magical.  

As a child and even now, I have loved your sense of humor – when you talk in funny voices, make crazy faces, and my memories of you dressing up as funny characters for Halloween or church parties. You’ve always been so much fun to be around.  

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always thought of you as being bigger than life. You have a great smile and an infectious laugh. You always seem to know everyone around, and people love you.  

As I watched you teach Sunday School and prepare for your lessons over the years, I saw that you were wise and knowledgeable. As I listened and observed you and your work ethic while you were employed at Ford Motor Company, I saw that you had integrity.  

You and Mama have always stood up for what you believe in, and you two have always tried to teach us to make the right choices in life and to turn to the Lord for everything.  

As I was growing up, you always made time to help me with things that were important to me. I remember you helping me to decorate my bicycle for a school parade and walking with me a few years later in a fund-raising walkathon.  

You and Mama always cheered me on and supported me during my high school and college years and after graduation. You’ve always been by my side whether in struggles or in celebrations.   You both have been there to hold my newborn babies, …and you have been there to hold me when my heart has been broken. You’ve always reminded me that God is in control and that everything will be alright.  I have always admired you and Mama more than any other people I know – your love for each other and friendship with each other, your walk with the Lord, your love for your family.  

I know that you’re human like everyone else, but you’re both my heroes, and you always will be.

I hope that you have a very happy birthday.

I love you Daddy.  

Love,

Shelley

From Caroline…

Daddy,

Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear Daddy! Happy Birthday to yoooooouuuuuuu! Hee hee. I love you, Daddy, and I wish so very much that I could be with you right now to give you a huge, long hug! In my heart, I’m doing just that…and I’m resting my head on your chest telling you how much you mean to me. I can just feel your sweater, your shirt against my cheek, hear your heart, feel the warmth and security of your embrace.

You are so much to so many people Daddy. It’s so interesting to see the common theme – the ways that you’ve touched people. Your humor, your loyalty, stability and strength of character. They keep coming up again and again as people describe what you mean to them. And they are SO right! J

The older I get, the more I realize how special you are, how rare you are… In particular, over the last few months, I’ve had moments where I nearly shuddered at the thought of what my life would have been like without you and Mama as my parents.

One of the things that I’ve been thinking about over and over is how you continue to grow. You are proof to me that to live a life in relationship with Jesus Christ is to be forever growing and stretching and learning and falling and being picked up again and again and again. Tonight I thought back to a time when you and Mama sat the four of us girls down a few years ago and poured out your hearts to us. You took the time, energy and humility to confess mistakes you’d made as parents and asked for forgiveness. Okay, so it was an awkward moment full of emotion, ha ha, but how many children have parents that attempt that reconciliation??

Your marriage graces us, your children. You really are each other’s best friend. Your love grows and matures just as your hearts and minds do. Thank you for being a faithful husband to Mama. Thank you for loving her. Thank you for showing us that love. Thank you for being proud of her. Thank you for treating her with respect. Thank you for acting like complete children around each other. J You are SILLY!

I’m so glad your silliness has been passed down to us. Life is hard and you make it fun! Thank you for that!!! Thank you for choosing to act goofy, ridiculous and completely hilarious! How boring life would be without all your weird sayings, nicknames and personas. Hee hee. I love it.

And thank you for loving me, my husband and my children. You have done so much for us over the years. Last year you were a lifeline to me and the boys while Todd was serving in Korea. We’ve said it before but that time, of living so close to each other for a whole year…was so incredible.You are such an important part of our lives.

You were the one who lead me to Christ. You were the one who walked me down the aisle. You are one who still leads me and guides me today. Thank you!  The security that I feel from knowing that you enjoy my company as I do yours, that we can make each other laugh, pray for each other, apologize to each other, forgive each other, connect with each other, misunderstand each other and keep on loving each other…well, it’s much like being in your embrace, wrapped up in your arms with my head resting on your chest.

You are so much to so many people. This is just a peek into what I appreciate in you. I feel closer to you than I ever have in my whole life and yet I’m on the other side of the world. J I love you Daddy. I’m so glad you are YOU, my Dad, Todd’s father-in-law, Parker’s and William’s Grandaddy Bill!

Happy Birthday Daddy!!!

Love,

Caroline

From Leigh-Ann…

Daddy, It’s hard to believe that you’re turning 70 years young. It still seems like you’re in your 40’s like the rest of us…

I have many warm memories from the years…when Allison and I were really young I remember you would act like an elf..swatting on the floor and jumping towards us.. it would scare and thrill us..making us want you to stop, ….but hoping you didn’t.

And of course the infamous “Unga-Bungas”. When you would take a lost dusty trail down to nowhere and begin the ominous chant…unga-bungas…unga-bungas…always getting louder and louder. Brandon mentioned the other day that you should design a ride for disney based on the Unga-Bungas.

I can also see us at the beach and we would walk to the ice cream store… and eat peanuts in the hotel room after our nightly swim.

Thanks for being a daddy that made us laugh. It helps us through the rough times to laugh.

I wish I could be with you to help you celebrate your wonderful life and eat cake and ice cream and laugh and give you a hug and a kiss.

Thanks for being a wonderful father and friend. I love you with all my heart,

                                                              

                                                                                         Leigh-Ann

P.S.  Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!

From Allison…

Happy Birthday, Daddy!  If I wrote everything I wanted to, you’d have to spend your entire birthday staring at the computer screen.  There are too many memories, too much emotion to put it all down in words….but here are just a few thoughts for this day.  I remember how you would make Leigh-Ann and I double over with laughter (mixed with just the tiniest bit of fear) when you would act like “The Elf” or “The Fat Man”.  I think about when you were working nights and you would call us and pretend to be ”Joe Doe”…I still remember that voice!  I think about how special I would feel when I got to stay up and watch the late show with you…….probably one of the reasons I’m still a confirmed night owl!  I remember being a young teenager and  volunteering you to drive my friends home and inevitably one of them would giggle and whisper, “Your daddy is soooo cute!”  I remember the fun we had watching Monday Night Football and I miss those times even today. 

I realize how much of what I love has been shaped by your example.   It seems that a love for words has been passed down from one generation of Britts to the next.  I am grateful to have inherited your passion for teaching and love for songwriting.  I consider them to not only be gifts from God, but gifts from you as well.  The Bible tells us to “Set an example of good works yourself, with integrity and dignity in your teaching.”  No one could have modeled these instructions better than you have and I only pray that I will follow your lead.

When I look back on my life and your influence, the first word that comes to mind is “unwaivering”.  You have held on to what you know to be true, never changing or losing ground…always moving closer to the heart of God.  To everyone who knows you, and especially to your family, you have reflected the love and mercy of our Heavenly Father.  Every daughter should be so blessed.  I love you with all my heart, Daddy.
Love,

Allison

From Alex…

I love Granddaddy Bill because he is really nice to me, and he hugs me when I see him. He always tell us Happy Easter or Merry Christmas or Happy Valentine’s when there’s a holiday.

Dear Granddaddy Bill,

I love you and I hope you have a happy birthday and I hope you have a fun time. Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaappy birthday! I love you!

Love,

Alex

From Claire…

I love Granddaddy Bill because he acts funny. He’s very funny. He chases me.

Dear Granddaddy Bill,

Happy Birthday to you! I love you. I miss you. You can come over sometime. You are nice. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you.

Love,

Claire

From Evan…

I love Granddaddy Bill because I laugh with him. I play chase with him.

Dear Granddaddy Bill,

Jesus loves me this I know… (Evan just sang the entire song for you.)

I love you, I love you. We’re a happy family, with a great bit hug and a kiss from me to you. (sung to the tune of the song from Barney).

Love,

Evan

From Ramon…

Happy Birthday, Brother Bill !  I can hardly believe that my baby brother is celebrating his 70^th birthday!  As I thought back over all of our years together, especially the early years, I started thinking about some of the weird names we called each other.  However, it seems that you were the recipient of most of these names.  These remembrances have resulted in the following thoughts I had about your most prominent nicknames.                                                    

Nicknames From Bill’s Past 

Going back about 63 or 64 birthdays ago, Bill was part of a nickname phase that we, along with some of our playmates, went through which lasted about a decade.  At the tender age of six or seven near the end of World War II, bill became known as “Number 1 Rationing Stamp”.  I am quite sure that he was unique in the entire United States in having this really catchy nickname.  This was the rationing stamp that was required for buying sugar during the War, and it was a natural for Bill.  He probably still has phobias as a result of this. 

Later, maybe by the age of ten or so, Bill became universally known as “BB”.  It obviously took a lot of imagination for us to come up with this one.  Actually, I believe his friends started it, and it stuck.  For several years, Bill was known to his friends as BB.  Sometime when he doesn’t know you’re around, yell “Hey, BB!” and watch his reaction.  It will most likely bring back a flood of memories for Bill, and don’t be surprised to see him dabbing at his eyes with a handkerchief. 

Later still, when Bill was probably in his early teens, he became known to certain members of the family as “Bamince” (that’s with a long i).  Of course, brother Ramon was known as Ramince.  Obviously, there was some confusion if the name wasn’t articulated well as to which mince was being addressed.  Apparently, this led more problems than was anticipated, because I don’t recall any further nicknames for Bill or me. 

I’m just amazed, however, that one of those great nicknames Bill had didn’t last.  Just think how much fun it would be these days if we all called him “BB”, or better yet, “Bamince”. 

Bill, after putting you through all that, I just want to say that you and Sharon have been so very fortunate to have been together for so many of those 70 years.  I can truly say that I have never seen another couple who are obviously so much in love.  Our Lord has certainly blessed you both. 

I love you Bill and Sharon. 

Have a wonderful day celebrating together.                                                                     

Your loving brother always,

Ramon

From Amy Adams…

I hope you will accept my sincere wish that you will have a very happy birthday. You certainly have a family to be proud of. Caroline has been and continues to be a blessing in my life (and in the lives of many others), and I thank you for your part in making her the sweet, talented, crazy person she is and for instilling such an inspiring faith in her. May God bless you and your family today and for years to come.

Amy Adams

From Leslie Gary…

First of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!  You and Sharon have been extremely special to me over the years. Thank you for always welcoming me into your home and for sharing your family with me!  I pray this is the best Birthday ever and know that you are loved and prayed for!

Blessings!
Leslie Gary

From Mama Sue

Happy Birthday Bill

Hope you have 70 more!!!

Look forward to seeing you at the reunion.

I love you all.

Lots of Love,

Sula

From Amy, Wally and the girls…

To a special uncle who is turning 70 today.

You have always been so special to me and I Love You!

We have done so many fun things with you and your family.  Times that will always be remembered and cherished.  There’s not a New Year’s that goes by that I don’t wish all of the Britts families could be together – eating ice cream sodas and laughing at old ladies flabby arms – which by the way, I now have.  That was the highlight of my every year growing up as child.  My family now feels the same about you as I do.

Lily says you always make her laugh at the reunions and Brittany always looks forward to meeting you and Sharon at the Apple Barn and Dollywood.

Your presence just seems to brighten up a room when you enter it.  You always have a big smile, bright eyes and open arms.  Thank you for being You!!!

Hip Hip Hooray

Bill is 70 Today

We love you,

Amy, Wally, Amanda , Brittany and Lily   

From Sunya…

“Happy Birthday Bill”

When you were born, I was so excited that I didn’t go to kindergarten that day.  I wanted to stay home with my new brother.  I can’t believe my “baby” brother is 70!!  I cherish the memories that you have given me from the time you were born; as a darling, golden haired, little boy; a handsome teenager; a very youthful looking adult; and the pleasure of watching you become the wonderful person you are today.  I am so proud of you!  Having you for a brother has been a blessing in my life.

Garnet has always felt close to you and thinks of you not as a brother-in-law, but as a brother.  He sends his love and joins me in wishing you the happiest of birthdays.

I love you so much,

Sunya

From Jen…

Dear Uncle Bill,

In honor of your 70th birthday, I’ve put together a little tribute. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll feel a little nauseous perhaps, you’ll want your money back. Be sure to play the background music, which adds to the whole birthday “experience.” I hope you like it!

I hope you have a wonderful birthday, Bill! We all love you so much. This is your big day, so sit back, relax, and enjoy this little trip down memory lane!

Love you lots,

Jen xx

(click here for music then come back & click on pics below to view full size)

From Ron Simpson…

Congratulations Bill: April 30, 2007

What a treat it is to be able to wish you Happy Birthday in this fashion! You have very creative daughters. I hope this entire weekend of celebration will be a memory for all time– for you, Sharon and all your wonderful family.

Except for your siblings, I probably go back with you as far as anyone sending you a message on this special occasion. Our friendship in high school was, for me, a personal highlight. To have had the opportunity to “run around with you” and be the close friend of THE MOST POPULAR PERSON in our class was the best part of my high school years. [I know you will never tell others what I just said, but I want everyone to know that it is the absolute truth.] And, of course, our enjoyable years at UT as roommates and best friends represent, without question, some of our happiest times.

On a sofa in my living room is a pillow that belonged to Charlotte. It says “Live, Love and Laugh.” I think that sums up your life. You have been a great friend, a loving husband and father, and the laughter from all our good times still rings clearly in my memory bank. Thank you for being such a fabulous friend and may this birthday occasion truly be enjoyable for you and serve as a tribute to the magnificent life you have lived and shared with the rest of us.

With grateful appreciation, respect and good wishes,

Ron Simpson
Athens, Georgia

Back to the 50s! (<–click for some nastalgia)

From Don and Nancy Jones…

Happy, Happy, Happy Birthday, Bill.   We love you and wish you many more birthdays.  We have laughed and cried together for too many years to mention, but through it all, we have loved you and Sharon so much and have deeply appreciated the friendship that we have been so blessed to share.  You are our hero!

Loving God and Loving Each Other……………

Don and Nancy

From Megan…

Dear Bill,

I hope you have a great birthday and I hope this one is the best!

Love,

Megan

From Jamie and Henry…

Hello Bill,

We wish you smiles, laughter, joy, and cheer

throughout the year. 

We hope your birthday and messages bring all these and more, 

filling life with happiness and joys galore.

Wishing you a wonderful year of happiness!

Remember that birthdays are good for you. 

Statistics show that people who have the most live the longest.

Happy Birthday!

Lots of Love,

Jamie & Henry

From your sister Jeanne…

Happy Birthday, Bill!

I have loved you for all of these 70 years – every one of them, every single day.  I clearly remember that tiny baby brother.  Seventy years!  It doesn’t seem possible.

I am so thankful for your life and your relationship with God, your family and all of us.  You did good, little brother!

Words can never express my love for you.

Happy Birthday!

Love,

Jeanne