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 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 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 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