Will has gone home. It's been five days since he passed. I can't decide if the days have flown by or dragged. I only know I'm exhausted and so very grieved. I'm still running on autopilot to a degree. I have allowed myself times of weeping, but there is so much to do. There must have been a time of simple death, with only the wealthy and powerful having death rituals requiring planning. Now, death is an event to plan for no matter what your station in life. Were my son not with me, I'd be overwhelmed.
There is so much I could write, but my mind is struggling to put words together. I will just leave you with Will's obituary.
William Paul Howard
Obituary
William (Will) Paul Howard, 76, went home to be with the
Lord on Saturday, February 17, 2024, after a prolonged illness. He was preceded in
death by his parents Leonard and Mary (Hart) Howard. He is survived by his wife, Susan
Arlene (Hover) Howard, son Matthew William Howard, and siblings John Howard,
Connie (Howard) Gross, Tim Howard, and CeCe (Howard) McGuiness, as well as
numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Will was born August 2, 1947, in Kansas City, MO, his
lifelong home. He attended Bishop Hogan
and Southwest High Schools. He went on to earn his GED, an Associates Degree
from the Metropolitan Community Colleges, and a Bachelor of Arts from Ottawa
University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He was a Professional Member of
the Missouri Addictions Counselors Association.
He enlisted in the United States Army in 1966, first serving
with the 3rd United States Infantry Regiment, The Old Guard. He served a tour
in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968 with the 9th Infantry Division, achieving the rank of
SP5 as an artillery sight repairman. He was Honorably Discharged in 1969.
Will wore many hats throughout his professional career:
soldier, jeweler, certified substance abuse counselor, assistant to the
director of the Kansas City Rescue Mission (Shelter KC) and Commissioned Lay
Pastor of St. Matthew Presbyterian Church before entering full retirement.
He married the love of his life Susan on October 3, 1987,
and they were married for 36 years until his passing. Together they brought
their beloved son Matthew into the world on September 13, 1989.
He had many hobbies that expressed his creativity and left a
lasting legacy. He was a self-taught musician who played bass, Irish flute, and
mandolin. As a craftsman, he carved his own Irish flutes and fashioned cigar-box
banjos. He took a course in sound engineering and recording from Chapman
Recording Studio and produced albums and recordings of live performances for
local musicians. Will and his wife Susan, a singer-songwriter, produced several
albums together in the late 80s and early 90s. He was also a painter, using
watercolors to capture beautiful landscapes—often based on his photographs. His
greatest love was photography, at which he excelled, capturing poignant
photographs through the years. He received honors for a photo taken in Vietnam
displayed in an exhibition at the Springfield Museum of Art. He was also a
published author, writing about his war experiences.
Will’s Celebration of Life will be Sunday, March 10, 3:00
p.m. at the South-Broadland Presbyterian Church, 7850 Holmes Road, Kansas City,
MO 64131. Interment will be at a later date at the Leavenworth National
Cemetery.
Contributions in Will’s memory may be made to Bomb Techs
Without Borders. This small but capable international non-profit is dedicated
to removing explosive remnants of war from the world. They have been providing
training and assistance to Ukrainian explosive clearance agencies since 2022
and publish free guides and references in use by bomb technicians around the
globe. It was founded by Will’s son Matthew, of whom he was justifiably proud. (www.btwob.org)
3 comments:
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A life well lived, indeed. What a beautiful tribute to Will and to your life together. He was a good man, a good husband, a good father, a good friend and will be remembered by so many. God's peace and comfort be with you.
Thank you, JoAnna. Thank you.
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