A few words from the Cactus Crowd

"Seems to me that this is the time that Dad, Bill, Grandpa ..... would want us all to remember to stick together and stay in touch as a family. His Sunday breakfasts were an institution. He wanted us all around him – whether he could hear us well or not. He wanted us to hang out together, to be a family, to be comfortable, and to talk. . . whether it was to him or any of the rest of us. It was always, "Come one - come all!"

He loved to know what was going on with each & every one of us. If it was embarrassing-all the better. If your story/ experience had the potential to be embarrassing- he wasn't above nudging it along. He definitely felt there was nothing wrong with a little healthy embellishment.

But most of all he was proud of each of our accomplishments. That didn't mean that he was shy about prodding us to reach farther or do more. But all in all - he kept all of us in touch and shared widely our successes, travels, & projects. He was the hub of our family communication universe. Didn't matter to him if we were 'firsts,' halfs (as in half- sisters & brothers), or 'steps' (as in step-children) ... we were all welcome at the table & family doings.

I think it would give him great pleasure to know that we, collectively, were keeping his approach to family-connectedness alive & motoring on. Truth be told – every time we get together... there'll be endless 'Dad-Bill-Grandpa' memories & stories to be recounted. What could be a better way to honor his memory & to keep him close... than for all of us to stay actively connected & in touch."