Contributions to the tribute of William Rex Smiley

S

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

In loving memory

J

Friday, August 30, 2019

Eulogy Thank you to everyone to everyone who attended the funeral service paying tribute to my Son. Thank you for the many calls, text messages, heartfelt words, poetry, condolences, gifts, pictures, love, support and prayers. Thank you as well to all who have graciously donated in lieu of flowers directly or contributed to my Sons go fund me page or have taken the time share the post among your friends. You have helped my family and I get through this heart wrenching and difficult time. God bless you. To my William, Billy Boy, Silly Willy, Billy Earps, As I sit here now writing and putting my thoughts and words together, I have to use all of my strength to wonder back upon the deepest parts of my mind gathering together for you as many treasured memories I have. It is important for people to know just exactly the kind of boy/man you were here on earth and all the joy you had brought into my heart. I remember the beginning, the pregnancy, the feeling of you inside of my body growing, the anticipation of your upcoming birth into this world. When that day finally arrived, I knew immediately the name I was going to give you. Soon thereafter as the time started to travel, I watched you learn to smile, laugh, cry, crawl, play, eat, walk and talk along with growing that lock of blond silky hair just like your beautiful daughters. In the years to follow, while we pencil marked the walls every time you grew taller, you were the Son with a 1000 questions, smart, a quick learner, curious and courageous. You were also a very stubborn soul, just like me. You were artistic, funny and sensitive and many times showed to me the signs of being an old soul. You had an obsession and love affair with skate boarding. You carried that board around with you everywhere you went and I had many moments of joy watching you practice and jump. I even remember trying to challenge it myself with you using my own feet on your skateboard only to listen to you laugh at me. Music was a strong part of our household and you developed a passion for it. You especially loved artists like Queen, Frank Sinatra, Eric Clapton and the Beastie boys. I remember you sitting with your headset and tape player listening to some of the same songs over and over again. You were my movie, documentary and cuddle bear. You loved to eat and you never complained about anything I made, you were so easy to feed! I remember all the times we would build forts and collect hot wheels. I remember going to the store looking for all the toys you liked, on a budget and how happy you and your brothers were to spend a buck. I remember teaching you how to dance and watching you, your brother and cousins dance together with your silly children’s dance moves. There are hundreds of adventures you, your brothers and I have had together that I will never forget. There are as well the dozens of friends you had who on occasion, the chosen few, took refuge in our home overnight. You were the son who at times would get into some kind of trouble, get scolded by me for it and then have the typical audacity to ask me for my car keys or money. However, you were also the Son, in my time of need when I couldn’t move my back, tied my shoes, straightened up the house and cooked me something to eat. For myself, as a Mother, there are many more memories to be told, however, I will rest this with one of the most important as you were the Son who was my right hand man through the entire journey of taking care of your Grandma and Grandpa while they were both sick and needed care. When the journey was on its last year unknown to us, I watched you fall in love. I watched you soon after become a Father. It was then, that I slowly had to start letting go, It then, that I was resistant to it, but it was also then that I realized this was the way things just naturally needed to be. In time, I had my visits from you. These visits were filled with laughter and food, however, they were at times filled with worry, tears, enlightenment and exhaustion. Many a Mother with a 20 something year old Son can surely relate and as the saying goes, we wouldn’t have it any other way. We resort to taking any time we can get, even if just for a moment. I find a comfort in knowing that the last time I saw my Sons face, I got to kiss it. I also find comfort in knowing that the last verbal exchange we had face to face was an exchange of I love you. I am so thankful to God for that. I know you are with Jesus my Son wrapped in his loving arms. I know too that you are with the rest of the family, our Angels in heaven. It has been a blessing to have you here with me for 28 years as my Son. We all love and miss you and until the end of my days, there is a special place in my heart that will always have you in it as only a Mother knows. Oh my boy, please come to me in my dreams when I get the blues, when I am lost and lonely without you, when I need to see you. Please keep showing to me your signs those special God winks that you are here with me, with us. Please guide me on how to live without you as I have no other choice but to begin this process, this unknown territory for me. Someday I promise I will tell your daughters all about you and your beautiful soul and I will teach them just exactly how to look for you when they need you. I love you my Son, forever and ever, until, I see you again, RIP Mommy, Mother, Ma, Madre, Mama Duke

P

Pamela Frenden posted a condolence

Thursday, August 22, 2019

It's terrible to hear about your loss and I express my sincere sympathy to you and your family.

S

Sharon lit a candle

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Though we only met briefly, having a dance with you while you sang Frank Sinatra gave a glimpse of your beautiful spirit and soul. May you rest in peace Bill. Praying for your family and friends.

J

Jeanne lit a candle

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Rest peacefully Bill. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

T

The Hill Family lit a candle

Monday, August 19, 2019

To the Smiley family, We are sorry to hear of Bill’s passing, our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. May you find comfort in the stories you will share about the memories you have made. The Hill Family

S

The family of William Rex Smiley uploaded a photo

Monday, August 19, 2019

William Rex "Bill" Smiley

1991 - 2019

Plant a tree in memory of William