In Loving Memory - A Eulogy I Wrote for my Best Friend's Father

My best friend's father recently passed. He was battling cancer for some time, and it finally took his well-lived life. He put up one hell of a fight and he surely never quit battling, that is for certain. My best friend asked me to present the eulogy, I responded without hesitation. This here is for you, my Father:

Firstly, I would like thank all of you who came here today to honor and memorialize the life of David Williams. Before I begin, I would like to take a moment of silence in loving memory of David. Thank you.

When Steven asked me to do the eulogy, I responded without hesitation. Dave was an extremely influential figure in my life; a second father to me. He was there for me since the early beginnings, as he was for everyone that played a role in his life, and even to those he didn’t know as family. A selfless character and the biggest of hearts, this was Dave as we all knew him. Everyone was treated as family whenever Dave was around.

I thought how I wanted this speech to go, but more importantly, I thought about how Dave would have wanted this to be. He would not have wanted this to be sad or mournful as Dave was filled with so much love and happiness. His life was a blessing, and it was an absolute blessing getting to be a part of his life, too. I wanted this message to be powerful, just like Dave was all his life. He lived a life that was meaningful and powerful, with good and honest intentions. His presence was always felt no matter the circumstance, and his positive emotions and outlook on life transcended throughout as if he was a part of everything he knew and felt. I felt this whenever I was with him- always.

Dave was an important figure in my life, a role model, a bright light that always illuminated my sky no matter if the weather was gloomy that day. He loved me like a Son, and I loved him like a Father. It doesn’t feel the same without him here, but I know he is, in fact, still here with us- today. He will always be with us and he is certainly in a wonderful place, because the life Dave lived was one primed on honor, love, respect and good faith. Everything he represented is everything I wish to represent for the remainder of my life. If I can live in this way, then I know I will be happy, just as Dave was, and is – now.

I share some fond memories with Dave. I will briefly share some of these with all of you that join me here today to show respects, as we remember the life of David, and one that was cut much too short. I can remember the good ole days playing baseball and soccer with the boys. I see some of you out there today. Dave was there with us. He was our cheerleader. I can hear his voice now from the sidelines, yelling “Wheels, wheels!!” He would bring us sunflower seeds, snacks, big league chew, cold rags when it was hot, anything we would need, he would have. If there was one thing about Dave that I know all of us would know and could relate to, it would be the fact that he made sure you had what you needed. It didn’t matter what it was. He would make sure you were fully equipped, prepared, and comfortable before taking care of himself. He would go out of his way, give you the clothes off his back, just to make sure you had what you needed.

Whenever I would visit him when he was sick, we would talk deeply and he would mentor me about some of life’s biggest lessons he had learned throughout the years. These talks were always something I longed for, and looked forward to, as I have struggled to find myself at times, as I’m sure many of us have as well. Dave had a way of making you feel at ease, even in times of hardship and despair. I took every word and every piece of advice he gave, and I cannot thank you enough for all these times we shared together. Thank you.

Dave was an ultimate jokester. He loved to tell jokes, and he would tell you the same joke more than once, but it would always bring a smile to your face and a laugh, or two, from your voice box. He would tell me a joke, and let’s be honest, they were normally inappropriate, but that was Dave’s humor. We would laugh and laugh until our stomach’s would hurt, the good kind of pain in life. The amount of pain and suffering that Dave had to endure just wasn’t fair for such a wonderful human being – a man that represented perfectly words such as compassionate, affectionate, courteous and empathetic, sensible and passionate, just to name a few. The list could go on and on.

This is life. We are born, we live, grow and manifest into the humans we were taught to be by our loved ones, and we perish. This is life and these specific attributes of life are inevitable. But Dave will live and his legacy shall remain with all of us for an everlasting eternity. His presence will always be felt. I can feel him now. He is looking down, smiling, and saying – live the life you deserve and have worked so hard for, my son.
The world will long remember David as the father he was, the man that would do anything for just about anybody, the country boy at heart and fisherman he was, and the light in the sky that shines oh so bright. I can see him now. Dave has gone home now, guided by his faith and by the light of those that he has loved and that he has lost.

At last he is with them once more, leaving those of us who grieve his passing with the memories he gave, the good that he did, the dream that he dreamt, and a single, enduring image – the image of a wonderful man wearing his UD flyers hat and Kentucky wildcats pull over, smiling and boasting about how proud he is of his United States Sailor, and my forever best friend – Steven Williams.

May God bless you, David Williams, and may you rest in eternal peace, and power. Thank you.