March 30, 2005

This is dedicated to my father,
whom we will love forever and miss so dearly.

With deep respect and great sorrow I inform you of the passing away suddenly and peacefully of Larry Williams, beloved husband, loving Father and Grandfather.  He enjoyed his life immensely and was still ‘in love’ with his wife fifty-eight years after their wedding day.  A native Californian, he resided with myself (his son) and was at his wives side, at home until the very last moment of life. 
 
On the day of Tuesday, March 29th, 2005 Dad didn't feel well so he went to the store and purchased Robitusin cough syrup.  On Wednesday, the following morning he said he still didn't feel well yet came to the table for breakfast to which I said, ‘why don't you go back to bed’ and he replied, ‘I don't want to get used to it.’  I said, ‘Dad, it’s only been one day’ and he agreed to go lie down.  That evening Dad seemingly had a cold yet mom and I asked if he wanted to go to the hospital to which he replied, ‘I don't know’ so together we decided that he didn't appear to be gravely ill and given his age, we decided to continue to let him rest in bed. 

That evening, I had plans to go out, so I left my cellular phone number with the instructions to ‘call me if you need me’ which was always what I said whenever I left the house at night.  I then rubbed his forehead and reminded him that our mind is very strong, ‘think well, think of feeling better’ and I said, ‘I'll be back in a few hours.’  By eleven thirty p.m. I returned home.

I recall walking into my parent’s room and seeing father in a heap on the floor by the far side of the bed.  Mom said as I was rushing to him that he had been there for an hour and she was waiting for me to come home.  She said she called my cellular phone although I didn't hear it ring.
 
I continued to my Father’s assistance.  I said, “Dad, wake up” and heard Mom say in the background, “I think he is dead” which I ignored but ran to the bathroom for a wash cloth, wet it and returned to wipe his brow while repeating, “Dad, wake up, wake up” with still no response.  I told Mom to go into my bedroom and wait while I then called 911, stating the situation and requesting to do CPR.  With a headset on, I began taking the necessary steps to bring back life, again and again, while asking if the paramedics were on their way and being told, ‘yes, they would be there very soon.’  My Father’s body felt light as I turned him over, flat on his back I recall.  He was so limp compared to the man I have known for my fifty three years on this earth.  I felt fearful as I continued to get no response.   
 
Within a few more minutes the paramedics arrived.  I felt no pulse or breath and looked into my Father’s eyes which were just slit open and saw nothing.  I did not see or feel any signs of life in his eyes yet felt his presence from above me.  I felt him watching me somehow.  I felt his approval as he knew I was doing my very best to bring him back to us.  I felt he was proud and yet was stuck in shock and overwhelmed. 

The paramedics approached him and with a stethoscope said, ‘he is gone.’  The seriousness and reality was felt for the first time.  Police officers arrived and stayed with me for hours while we awaited a coroner, doctor’s call and all the other horrors I never knew existed until this time.  I would check in on my Mother from time to time and she was handling herself with such grace, I was so proud of her. 

The next two nights Mom slept in my bedroom.  Today, we know how much we have missed him, how loved he was and how our lives will never be the same.  No memorial service was held (our families wishes.)  A traditional cremation with ashes scattered at sea is what he wanted.  All our lives we will have a memory of a man who I can truly say, ‘never intentionally hurt a fly.’  I am honored to be his son and will forever miss him, his humor and good nature.

Dad, we love you with all of our hearts.  Mom and I will miss you as long as we live.  God bless you and God bless your heart.  We wish you were here playing cards and keeping track of the lottery… yes, if you won, a chauffeur would have been your first splurge, is what you told us and now again, you have made me smile.

~~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~~

  Larry Williams was born on July 7, 1913 in Pasadena, California.  One of two children, with a sister, Beatrice born a few years prior.  His mother was Clara Stoesser and biological Father was Cleve Williams whom left the family when Larry was six months old, not to be seen again.  By sixteen years old feeling unwelcome by his Step-Father, Larry was pushed out of the house into the midst of the great depression.  This is the story of his life which came to be recorded in May of 1992. 

  My father had received a notice in 1992 from the Navy unit he was enlisted in which was holding a reunion.  He said he had no intentions of going.  I did not understand why, but asked if we could sit down so that I could record his life story, possibly write it down and send it to the event organizer to update them as to the status of his life.  We never did re-write this story, for by the time we began to speak of his Naval experience I understood, why he did not desire to go, what it meant to him and how much pain he felt. 

  His health consisted of an angioplasty in 1989 and a bypass surgery in 1997 but otherwise, not sick hardly a day in his life.  He never complained and my mother, Jane says, never said 'no.'   He taught me love and kindness among so much more.  I was blessed to see the love he shared with Mom for fifty eight years.  A Father and Husband that will be missed forever.   This recording was done in May of 1992 and sat on the shelf collecting dust until this day when I could regain my thoughts and display a man's story of his service in the Navy, shared through tears, a man who I am so proud of.  The world might get a glimpse of the magnificent man who I called "Dad."

 

Surviving Allen, son and Jane, wife  03-30-05

My father's "World War 2 Service In The Navy" -  
Running Time: 48:00   Recorded May, 1992   

 

In closing my mother and I would like to thank you all so much for your concern and caring thoughts.  Lorenzo & Magli Franco, Manny Berrones, Chris Williams, Geraldine & Alex Hunter, Joan & Dick Hunter, Marylou & Joe Van Dusen, Laurie & Jake Allen... thank you as well for the beautiful flowers.  God bless you all for your kindness.

         Jane and Allen

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