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
25 Comments
Emily Price Culberson
July 27, 2013Angie, I am so sorry. I remember interviewing Will one time, maybe 12 or 13 years ago, for a Union promotional video, and I was so impressed by his passion for life, for his college career at Union, for Jesus. I was so happy for you two when you started dating because I knew Will was an amazing man, and loved you so much. I’ve been praying for you guys and this whole situation, and will continue to do so. There just aren’t any other words I can find to say because God is the only One who can be your strength through this. Emily
Billy Suratt
July 27, 2013My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Christi
July 27, 2013My heart broke as I read this. Even as I know it’s true I can’t believe it! Will was a wonderful guy! I went to Union and travelled with the basketball team and I remember Will would always keep me smiling. He had such an infectious spirit.
Angie, your faith and love for Will has given me such an example of what my marraige should be…what God has called is to be. I am praying for you and please know you are not alone as you grieve. There are thousands of us that you and Will have touched. Our Father has reasons for everything he does and although we don’t understand and feel hurt and anger, He gently reminds us that He loves us and we are sheltered in His arms. Wills body is healed and today he is doing one of the things he does best: he is singing in the best choir ever created. God needed Him at home. Our prayers are lifted up for you today!
Yoleine
July 27, 2013Angie from the moment I saw your story at church, I was deeply touched. You and Will have consistently been in my thoughts and prayers. Thinking and praying for you. For continued strength. You are one strong woman. X
Debbie Newell
July 27, 2013Angie, I am praying for you. Will was a wonderful example of faithfulness. Only God can give you the comfort you need now. He is sufficient for even your deep grief. He will carry you through the days ahead when you think you cannot move.
Judy Varner
July 27, 2013Angie, you and the entire family are in my thoughts and prayers. Will was a fine young man and a wonderful role model for others. My heart is heavy. Will was one of my favorite students. Phil. 4:13 love to all of you, Judy
Alexis
July 27, 2013Oh Angie, my heart is breaking for you right now. You loved him well. Praying for peace and comfort for you.
josie kelly
July 27, 2013Angie, i am so sorry for your loss. Keeping you and the family in my prayers.
Carrie Furr
July 27, 2013I can’t imagine the hurt in your heart right now. I know you’re thankful that Will is whole and healed, but I pray that your healing will be swift. Lord, be with Angie as she will need you desperately to hold her heart together. Our prayers for you all will be ongoing.
Tess
July 27, 2013Angie-what a struggle you & Will have been through! Our hearts are broken for you n your loss but our hearts are elated for Will. He has a perfect body now-free of suffering and pain. Our prayers for you will continue over the coming months….. For now, know that we are wrapping our arms around you!
Claire
July 27, 2013I write this in tears because death is truly unnatural. But God is faithful. He is good. He is Sufficient. He is sovereign. He will uphold you. And you have a peaceful eternity to look forward to after this temporal life is past.
Kristin
July 27, 2013Angie, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Rest in knowing that your separation from Will is only temporary. Thanks to God’s grace you will be together again. I pray that God will pour His peace and strength into you as you grieve. You are not alone.
Naomi Dodd
July 27, 2013I am so sorry for your loss. I have been and will continue praying for you all.
John Mayros
July 27, 2013My thoughts and prayers are with you and family!!
Rebekah
July 27, 2013Angie, I cannot imagine the weight of your grief right now. What a mercy it is to have a Savior who asks us to cast our burdens on Him. He will comfort you and shelter you and uphold you with His right hand.
Annie Thatcher
July 27, 2013Angie, we went to Rockville Jr/Sr high together, I’ve been following your story, & I am so sorry for your loss. Think of it not as a good bye but as I will see you later, when your time on Earth is through you & Will will be back in eachothers arms again. I admire your strength, and courage.
Will is watching over you, try to keep your strength, & God & Will will see you through. I will be praying for you & your family in this difficult time.
God Bless,
Anna Richards (Annie Thatcher)
Sharon Gryzlov
July 27, 2013Dear Angie,
Thank you for your faithfulness and display of God’s love and mercy that you showed us all while you cared for Will. We will continue to pray for you and other family members during this time. I can’t wait to join the chorus of rejoicing with Will who now dwells with his Savior!
Robert Joseph
July 27, 2013R.I.P Will. My prayers go to your family in this difficult time.
Sarah
July 27, 2013Angie,
Just keep breathing and let Jesus carry you. You will see Will again in the land of the livivg. Love to you.
Claudia Overpeck
July 27, 2013Dear Angie, I am sorry for your loss. A mutual friend, Patty Pound, had me praying for you and Will. I hope that you can move through these days with the peace. May the Spirit comfort you and keep you. Lean on your folks, they are amazing people too.
My sincerest sympathy,
Claudia Overpeck
Amy
July 27, 2013I’m so sorry for your lose…for the world’s lose. Will certainly made the world a more beautiful place. Now heaven has a beautiful, talented angel. Sending deepest sympathy.
Nancy
July 27, 2013I just began following and praying for you a few weeks ago. I don’t even know you personally yet i am sobbing as i read your posts, especially the news of Will’s passing. What a great testament and amazing servant you are. I pray that the beauty and color of life will be restored for you and that the memories that you and will have had will bring joy. ~ Nancy
Colleen H.
July 27, 2013I am a mutual friend of one of yours from TN (Meridith). I have been praying and watching for updates for many months now. I am and have been touched by your and Will’s story and am sorry to hear of his passing. The two of you have touched many lives near and far by making your story and journey known. You will still be in my prayers as you walk through the next season of your life. May God richly bless you in your sadness.
Shirley Howard
July 27, 2013My prayers and thinking of you and family!
Melanie Barber Lee
July 27, 2013I will be praying for you and the family. Thankful for the hope we have in Christ. He IS risen!