Saturday, December 29, 2018
Time is deceitful and its passage unnoticed & unseen.
A few years ago I began looking for my old classmates from Tabernacle Elementary School and Lenape Regional High. I found quite a few but I never found my good friend Billy Styles. Today was a sad day for me because I finally found Billy listed in the obituaries. I thought I had time to find him but not so, for he has gone.
Billy and I were classmates all through our school days. Nine years at Tabernacle (K - 8th) and four years at Lenape. I think that’s where I last spoke with Bill, at our graduation, after a rainstorm shortened the ceremony back in 1968. We returned to our homeroom, picked up our diplomas and said goodbye. I wish this had not been our last meeting, but it was.
In all those school years we spent together, I cannot remember when I did not consider Billy Styles one of my best friends. He was a fundamentally good person and came from a fundamentally good family. He was honest, intelligent always willing to help and share. His Dad sometimes did repair work around the house for my grandparents and Billy was often there as his helper. Bill was a hard worker.
I was not surprised to learn that Bill worked as a musician. He could really play that guitar. I once bought one of his old guitars for $5 and he tried to teach me to play, but I did not have the talent he was gifted with.
I am encouraged that Bill was active in his church. I wish we had had the time to meet and talk about the faith. Although that was not to be, I know that someday, by the grace of God, we’ll meet again in the Kingdom of Christ, one that has no end.
