Keeping his memory alive
February 24th, 2007 by Joy
Bill Dooley October 20, 1953 – February 24, 2004
” Bill Dooley was the first missionary Bruce knew: “I remember thinking, this guy is NEAT-he’s so real and personal.”
“conversations with ABWE missionary Bill Dooley inspired and motivated Beth to consider missions as God’s specific will for her life.”
I would like to introduce you to Bill Dooley, my dad. He was a missionary for 14 years in Chile and later a recruiter for the same missions agency. He encouraged many to know God and love Him. At 50 yrs old, 3 years ago today he flew away leaving us with a hole in our hearts that would never heal. He was a great man and we miss him so much.
I wanted to share with you what I have made for my family so we will always remember him and keep him near. He wore this great sport coat all the time. He looked great in it. It was his favorite. For my mom’s birthday I made this bag for her from his coat. I attached his name tag he wore while he was at conferences and a great picture of his teethy grin. Love that smile!
I made the inside out of the shirt they got on their Alaska cruise their 25th wedding anniversary. The tie tips were a few of his favorites. The blue one he wore at our wedding when he married us. She loved the bag and it’s nice to know that a peice of him is still close to her.
I really started missing him a lot when I got pregnant and wished Lucy could know him. It kills me that they won’t get to play together. So I made her this Lion. (I have a slight obsesion with lions thanks to the Chronicles of Narnia) Papa the Lion is also made from the same sport coat. Recognize the tie? same one. This is the only way I know to keep him close. When you loose a loved one won’t you do the same? Don’t throw all their things away but make something new and keep them close. It’s all we have left of them. Thanks for letting me share this with you on this very special day to me and my family.
February 24th, 2007 at 8:13 am
Joy, I think of you and your mom EVERY February because I was in Lakeland the week after your fathers funeral. May today be a day of sweet remembrance for you and your mom. He was a great man and Ms. Lucy is the spiting image of him. When I showed Dikola pictures of Lucy, she said…”Oh my gosh..that is Bill Dooley!” So cool that the Lord did that. Love the crafty memorials you made for your mom and Lucy.
February 24th, 2007 at 8:44 am
Thinking of you guys today and loving on you a lot…
February 24th, 2007 at 9:22 am
I think this is a great idea. You and family members can alway have a little part of him.
February 24th, 2007 at 9:58 am
I think that it is very sweet what you have done for your mom. My Uncle was a missonary in Israel for 6 years when he passed away in 2004, He was there until his last breath doing what God wanted him to do. I will pray for your family today that you have a good day and are able to recall all of the special memories.
February 24th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
I am thinking of you today and your family. I wish I were close to give you big hug and just sit and talk about your dad. Love you Joy!
Today my devotion was Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God”
February 24th, 2007 at 3:04 pm
I am so sorry for your loss. I am glad you are able to embrace those special memories and find the little ways to keep him in your heart.
February 24th, 2007 at 4:24 pm
Wow…what more can I say? He still is the most handsome man I know. Thank you Joy for loving him so much to do precious things like this blog and make the purse and lion out of his favorite sport coat. To all of you who upheld us today in your prayers…thank you so much. It really is getting easier as the years go by. I’m not saying I don’t miss him, I do tons. And Bill, if you see this..we miss you darling..but we know you are “holding the fort down” for us. Before we know it we will al be together again. Thank You Jesus!
February 25th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
Just…wow. Thanks for sharing your dad with us. Your gifts to your family give us a glimpse of him.
February 26th, 2007 at 11:51 am
What a beautiful tribute. Thank you for sharing your memories.
March 2nd, 2007 at 8:36 am
Oh..I forgot to say the Bruce and his wife and two kids are now missionaries in Nicaragua.
March 6th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
What a wonderful way to perserve those memories instead of storing something in a closet or basement. I just love these ideas. It was a wonderful testament to what a great father you had!
March 8th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
I’m so touched by this – how lucky you are to have had a good Dad. This is such a thoughtful way to keep his memory alive for your Mom, and the rest of the family.
Oh, and thank you for visiting my blog and commenting. You’re my first – besides my sister, and I made her do it (lol)!
March 29th, 2007 at 3:01 am
This is very touch, the way you keep the good memory close with you is lovely, thanks for sharing this.
April 1st, 2007 at 9:28 am
Thanks for sharing this. I just lost my Dad on February 6th, after a long, painful battle with cancer. He was only 53, actually, he was born just a couple of weeks before your dad was. Helping my Grandma sort through his things, I felt compelled to take home several of his western shirts. I hope someday to make them into a quilt.
Unfortunately, my Dad and I didn’t have the best relationship, but in his final two years, he tried, in his way, to make amends. That’s what makes his death even more painful, because I’m grieving for what might have been, as well as what was. You are so blessed to really have known your Dad, and have such good memories to share. I wish your family peace.
April 2nd, 2007 at 1:06 pm
Very inspiring. It gave me goosebumps. Thanks.
May 25th, 2007 at 9:18 am
What a heartwarming story. I’m very sorry for your loss but you have wonderful memories to treasure. He has a lovely smile. My own father has been in the hospital for 8 weeks today. We are hopeful he will get strong again and be home, but we know it’ll take some more time.
That is a lovely bag you made. Something very special to treasure.
You have a lovely site.
Have a really nice day.
)
Judi
May 26th, 2007 at 9:21 am
Your father must be very proud of you and of the heritage he has left behind. Your daughter will know him through your eyes. What hope that you will both be able to see him again!!!
June 6th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
This is such a sweet idea. I will remember it and think of something similar to do myself. I have already made a “plaidypus” from one of my husband’s old plaid shirts, a la “Plaidypus Lost”, but this is a much more sentimental and important idea. Thank you for sharing.
June 14th, 2007 at 3:17 pm
Thank you very much for sharing. I was so touched by how some just shine with the love of the Lord. The things you made were wonderful. I wish I would have thought of it when my brother died. God bless you and your family.
March 24th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
What a beautiful way to remeber you dad. I bet your mother was so touched by your gift. Another thing you can make is travel tissue holder to go inside the purse. I’m going to do that with one of my daughter’s old clothes that she outgrew to remeber her when she was small:)
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January 24th, 2011 at 4:43 pm
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