Bill

As many of you have probably already heard, my dear friend Bill Carlson passed away tonight around 6:00 pm. I got a call from my former boss at WCCO around 10 with the news. He said Bill passed peacefully, while sleeping next to his adored wife, Nancy, in their home.
I don't even know how I am doing right now. I am heartbroken, and thankful to God for bringing him home at the same time. I am trembling with grief, but rejoicing that I get to see him again someday in heaven.
I don't have to tell you how close Bill & I became during my time working at WCCO. We sat right next to each other and talked every day. He was one of the first to know when we became pregnant with Rae, and Bill confided in me that his cancer had returned before he had even spoken to the WCCO higher-ups about it. I cried with him when his mother died and he rejoiced with me when Rae was born. He held her in his arms for the first time when she was only 10 days old.
Bill is a remarkable man. I have never known a man like him. I say he "is" a remarkable man because he lives on with Jesus right now. Bill is the epitome of kind, compassionate, and generous. He is always optimistic - even in the worst of situations. His favorite song is "What a Wonderful World," and I think that says a lot about his outlook on life. He absolutely adored his wife Nancy, as well as his daughter and two granddaughters. He loved his dogs. He loved Hawaii. He loved green tea. He loved unique pens. He loved the arts. He loved people. And he loved life. Now he is enjoying eternal life.
Tonight I was singing to Rae before I put her to bed. For some reason, a song that we used to sing in high school choir came to my mind and I sang it to her tonight. I didn't know yet that Bill had passed away, but I sang to her "No more night, no more pain. No more tears, never crying again. Praises to the great I AM! We will live in the light of the risen Lamb!" I couldn't have known the significance of this at the time, but I praise God that even before I heard the news, he had put it on my heart that death has no sting anymore. Bill is free. He is no longer in any pain. He is living in the light of our Savior!
We were at our church when I heard the news, and Rae was sleeping in one of the children's church rooms. When we got home and I transported her into her crib, I noticed that the teddy bear she had waiting for her in her crib was the one Bill had given to her for Valentine's Day, just after she was born. Another sweet reminder of the man Bill was and is.
The last time I saw Bill was at his birthday party. He was happy, surrounded by his friends and family. He got to see Israel, too. Shortly aftewards, he mailed me a framed picture of the three of us on that day. I am so thankful for this lasting memory of the last time I got to see and hug Bill. The last time I talked to him was to tell him of our new pregnancy. He was thrilled with the news and sounded so happy and optimistic about his own situation. Classic Bill.
I am rambling now. I have so many memories of Bill that I could record.
I want to thank all of you who are praying for everyone affected by the loss of Bill. Please especially keep Nancy in your prayers. They were so in love - I've never seen a couple as crazy about each other as Bill & Nancy.
Knowing Bill has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I love you Bill, and I will miss you until I get to see you again! love, Audra