A Man Called "Bill"

A boy who loved his mom and worked the land,

Who made his friends with ease and lent a hand

In times when scarcity made living hard;

He grew up loving peace and standing guard.

This child who heard of conflicts far away

He went to shore up freedom in his day...

Returning with his patriot heart still warm,

He chose to stand guard in another form.

And, marrying well, he drove his brave patrol

With children watching him fulfill his role.

So, whether daughter's eyes, or wife's, or sons',

All saw in him a peace not forged by guns.

Indeed, I well remember Father's claim

That suspects don't deserve a crippling shame.

He taught me that all men deserve respect--

To try hard in the bad, good to detect.

In fact, I find it rare that Dad would speed

To judge a fellow man of careless deed.

Yes, many lessons he has left behind...

And, as he mounts in years, we children find

That Father's shoes become harder to fill.

And that we'll always love a man called "Bill."