This is the update I have prayed that I would never have to send.
At around 8pm tonight (Friday, July 26), Will passed away.
I don't really know what to say. My heart feels like it has been ripped out and my world has stopped. Will is my love and will always be my love. I can't imagine life without him. The beauty and color of life seems to have gone with him.
William, thank you for loving me. Thank you for sharing the last 12 years of life with me. Thank you for marrying me and being my husband. You made my life better; you made me better. I don't know how I will continue breathing without you, but I'm thankful for the love we have that is more beautiful than either of us deserves.
Will lived an amazing 33 years and didn't waste a moment. Everything he did was done with great intentionality and love.
A couple of years ago, we went to a poetry reading. Will chose this poem to share with the group...
Late Fragment
by Raymond Carver
And did you get what
you wanted from this life, even so?
I did.
And what did you want?
To call myself beloved, to feel myself
beloved on the earth.
Will is definitely beloved, by so many people. The love we have been shown has been overwhelming. Thank you all for loving us so well. Thank you for caring about our lives and sharing in them.
GIVE MONEY
28 Comments
Heather Barker
July 27, 2013I am sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your story with the public so that we may see God’s work in lives.
Leesa Dean
July 27, 2013My deepest condolences. I’ve been touched by your story and by Will’s incredible spirit and talent. Thank you for letting all of us into your life this way. I am so so sorry for your loss.
Jackie Shaw
July 27, 2013Anigie I am so sorry to hear this! I’ve been praying for Will’s healing and am so thankful that his suffering is over…You know Jesus was only here 33 years…I lost a brother in law at 33 also some years ago..You and Will’s entire family are in my prayers….
Jane McMullen
July 27, 2013Angie, we are so sorry. You and Will have been such an inspiration through it all. I know your heart literally aches. Your love for each other was so beautiful. Please know that you are covered in prayer. The McMullen family.
Trena
July 27, 2013I pray God’s peace and comfort over you Angie and all who loved Will. I thank God for you and Will showing us all how to never give up hope, and hold to your faith. The love the two of you exemplified was definitely God’s example of how to love. Through this journey both you and Will were taking the time to keep us informed on his progress, We love you and are continuing our prayers!
deborah Siler
July 27, 2013thank you for opening your lives to the public so that we all might see the work of the hand of God.
Kim Wynn Boyd
July 27, 2013Angie, you and Will have showed the ultimate example of love, an unconditional love like Christ. Something that the we all should strive for. Praying for peace that surpasses all understanding. Be praying for you guys.
Eric Parker
July 27, 2013Thank you for everything you taught me Will. I am so thankful to have known you and to have seen your love for God.
My thoughts and prayers are with you Angie.
Love you both sooo much.
Nicole Gladwin
July 27, 2013Angie, I am at a lost for words. You and Will have set such a beautiful example of serving and loving the Lord. My heart hurts for you. I know Will is resting peacefully with the Lord right now.
“May the peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7
Much love,
Nicole
Olivia
July 27, 2013Be free Will. Rest and be whole. You will be sorely missed by so many here on this Earth.
Angie, Will loved you so much. I know that your heart is breaking. I pray for unending peace for you as you continue on this journey in a different manner now. All our love.
Allison Emrick
July 27, 2013I do not know you nor did I have the honor of knowing Will but through a mutual friend I find myself here reading of your struggles, heartbreak, and unbelievable strength. We are all Gods children and with that connection you are my family. I have been touched by your update of Wills passing but equally inspired by your loving words and those words of the people who know you and Will. I pray that God gives you the strength to continue life here on earth with joy in your heart knowing that Will is the lucky one who has finally arrived Home! I rejoice Wills departure from this temporary place and look forward to us all seeing each other when it’s our time to go Home.
Kevin Robbins
July 27, 2013Thank you Allison
Allison Emrick
July 27, 2013My prayers are with you, Angie, and everybody who was lucky enough to know Will!
Kevin Robbins
July 27, 2013I’m still at a loss, like so many here, this is the day we never wanted to come. I have been lucky and honored to call Will – friend. Angie you’ve amazed me with your strength and dedication in these incredibly hard months and pray for more strength and peace for you in the days, weeks, years to come.
Beth Skinner
July 27, 2013This is a long and winding road I have been on 16 years, and started just a couple of years older than you are now, I prayed you would never be. But if you must travel it remember just as real as the memories, is the piece of his beautiful spirit he left with you to care for and cherish. You will feel him so near at times. I believe that is the mercy of our lord meeting our need. You will forever be the champion and living testimony of the love he created here. But with great love comes great responsibility. For now you must live with the intention to live this life enough for the both of you. And given how he squeezed each moment of life dry, your work is cut out for you. But he must have believed you were able because he chose you out of the whole world to be his lifemate. You are both on a new journey today. But your metal has been tested and God found you both worthy. I will continue to pray for you as you make this turn in the road.
shannon
July 27, 2013I just pray that God gives you the strength and comfort durning this time.
Danielle Liang
July 27, 2013Angie,
“Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart
And all is darkened in the vale of tears;
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.
Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay
From His own fulness all He takes away.”
I think Jon & Joan said it best in quoting Revelations. We love you & are praying for you. We pray that God would give you grace & uphold you during this time. We pray that He would show you His faithfulness, His love, and His nearness. Will has run the race ahead of us and will always be in our hearts.
“Some have crossed before us safely
To that land of perfect rest.
Can you hear them singing faintly
In the mansion of the blest?”
We love you!
Isaac and Heidi
July 27, 2013Angie, you and Will showed us what it’s truly like to be like Jesus on this earth. Together you loved so many, fought for justice and never once gave up hope. Love is what fuels that, and you have loved us in that way and we will never be the same. Love you…
The Tuckers
Isaac and Heidi
July 27, 2013Angie, you and Will showed us what it’s truly like to be like Jesus on this. Together you loved so many, fought for justice and never once gave up hope. Love is what fuels that, and you have loved us in that way and we will never be the same. Love you…
The Tuckers
Jennilee
July 27, 2013Praising God for Will’s life and rejoicing for his life with Christ, but grieved and broken hearted for your loss. Praying for comfort.
jimi chopmaster j dright
July 27, 2013Angie, though I knew Will briefly it didn’t take more than the few times that we spoke that he was truly special & I was being blessed with his pressence & energy I am at a loss for words, as your loss is our loss. What a beautiful brother. God bless you, the baby & your family! Love & Respect!
The Nolen & Byars
July 27, 2013He has his WINGS fly William. Tell our son Troy hello..God Bless you
Ricky Blanton
July 27, 2013Let not your heart be trouble, ye believe in God, believe in me. In my father’s house are many mansions…To the family of the late Will Gray. Our prayers and sympathy are extended during this time. May God comfort you and wrap you all in his wings of love. He will be missed.
The Blanton family
Nell and Ricky
Arlinda
July 27, 2013Angie, Israel and I are so sorry for your lost. Our prayers will continue to be with you. We love you!!
Kyle Stephens
July 27, 2013Will, You will be missed. Angie, thank you for your strength, love, and passion over the past few months. You will be lifted up in the days to come. Blessings…
Jon and Joan
July 27, 2013And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Rev 7:15-17
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Rev 21:4
Angie, the road behind you has been long. You have walked through it with such integrity and such honor for our Lord and Will. Now Jesus has called him home.
The road ahead of you will be long. I pray that you will continually be aware of and experience the presence and love of our God, LORD and Savior as you slowly tread along.
I think of you everyday. My heart mourns with you- yet there is a hope- One day we shall see Will- His body will be whole again! There will be no more tears, no more pain, no more sorrow or suffering. For the order of things will have changed!
You are in our prayers and will continually be in our hearts. We love you!
Anna K
July 27, 2013May His peace which surpasses ALL understanding comfort you in the difficult days and months ahead, sweet Angie. You and Will have been an incredible example of love and devotion for me and my husband and have inspired us in more ways than you can ever imagine. I look forward to the day when there will be no more heartache and sadness and we’ll all join Will in that place of joy, laughter and music. I have no doubt he is singing a heavenly song at this very moment!!
Ime
July 27, 2013Angie, this is the post I prayed I’d never have to read. I’m sorry and my heart hurts with yours. Please accept my sympathies and know that we continue to pray for you and the entire family.