Bill Stamps, Jr., 1948-2021

It’s been a leaky morning. It’s what happens when tears keep welling up in one’s eyes and insist on racing down the face.

I’m writing this as feelings come and go, so please forgive me for the broken train of thought.

Bill Stamps, Jr., passed away on Tuesday, March 9, as best I can gather from social media. He was a good man with a lot of demons in his past.

His dad, Bill Sr., was practically a living legend in my neck-of-the-redwoods. Knowing your dad is a popular figure in a small town must have made for some tough times as a child.

Bill also lost a brother when he was a kid. Then that same kid volunteered to go to Vietnam, serving in the U.S. Marines.

He came out of all the muck and the debris the better man. Bill offered hope, spread cheer, and showed that happiness can and always has been contagious.

Bill was also the man who wasn’t afraid to ask for divine help when the chips were down.

Not too long ago, his beautiful wife Jana was diagnosed with cancer. Bill asked for prayers of recovery, receiving them from all over the globe.

Jana has since come into better health.

Then this…suddenly Bill is gone, and Jana is without him. This is why, ultimately, I am having a leaky morning.

Bill was only a dozen years or so older than me, and this leaves me frightened. There are so many things I still want to do in this short life we each get, so perhaps, I write this, not only about Bill – but selfishly – also about myself.

Perhaps there will be more to write in the coming days, but for now, though, I must absorb this painful blow to the heart.