Donations in honor of Will Owsley

I’m new at this, and you may have already recieved a message…just so sad about Will…I d0 believe that in anguish, we’re in a different state of mind. I didn’t know the guy, & I feel sad.

MAY GOD KEEP YOU ALL IN HIS TENDER CARE.

God bless Will and his family. having lost 2 brothers to suicide the pain is overwhelming. We have to erase the stigma, talk about it and know people know there is help..Suicide is an end to intolerable pain but the wreckage it leaves behind is unreal. For those of you who know his family, be there for them, let them talk about it and love them through this

I am from Anniston, Al …Will’s native home town. As a child and teenager (’60′s – early 70′s), I attended church with the Owsley family. To this day, I have some very fond memories of Will. First, I always referred to Will as, “Lil Bill” (his Dad’s name is ‘Bill’ and I always said, ‘he looked like his Daddy, just in a little boys body, lol). When Will was around 6 years old, and I never why (and to this day still don’t why he’d picked me), but often times at church ‘Lil Bill’ would run up to me and exclaim, “Daryl, Daryl give me a piggy-back ride on your shoulders for everyone to see me”. As children usually are, Will was always full of life, always happy …and I mostly remember, always laughing and having a good time. For some unknown reason to me, I’ve often thought of the days (at church) when ‘Lil Bill’ would have me toss him up onto my shoulders and walk him around (lol, sometimes run) through the halls of church, bouncing him and listening to him “laugh and giggle”. But I think the following has something to do with my memories of those days …and of ‘Lil Bill’. When Will was approximately 18 (maybe 19 or so), I saw him perform once (with a band he played with) at a local night club (My Brothers Bar, in Jacksonville, Al). At that time, I had no idea that Will even played a musical instrument, much less performed in a band. I had been at the club only a few minutes, talking to friends and inattentively listening to the band performing behind me when suddenly, I heard one of the guitarists key into a ‘solo’ piece. I immediately stopped speaking with my friends and turned to watch this musician “making his 6-string sing”. Not having any “musical talent” of my own, I have always deeply admired those who could make ‘any’ musical instrument ‘come to life’. Well, this guitar had suddenly taken on a ‘life of its own’. As I turned to watch this guitarist (with pure amazement) I was taken aback. I was looking into the face of a ’6 yr old boy’ that I use to carry around on my shoulders some 10-12 years prior. Not only was I completely astonished at what I was witnessing, I knew in a split instant, I was watching a ‘natural’ as this kid made his guitar ‘come alive’. When the band took their next break, I walked up to ‘Lil Bill’, stuck out my hand and said, “Bill Owsley …you don’t remember me do you”? Will, smiled at me and said, “…of course I do, you used to carry me around church on your shoulders……how you doing Daryl”? As anyone who knew Will can (and will) testify ….if you knew him, you were left with a ‘permanent and lasting’ impression. An impression, that even at times when you least expect it, you will find yourself having ‘wonderfully fond memories’ of him…..just has I have since I was around 18 years old. I am 56. I was blessed to have known ‘Lil Bill’ when he was kid. My life has been enriched with joy from memories I’ve always held so close and dear to my heart of his laughter and the joy ‘Lil Bill’ gave me during those times when I’d carry him for piggy-back rides on my shoulders. Mr. and Mrs. Owsley, Bud and Lucy ….my heart breaks for you ….but know this, your son (and brother) touched the lives of many many people and left wonderful memories with them all! God bless your family during your time of grief.

Back in the 70s , I spent a summer working with Will at a YMCA day camp in Anniston AL . At the time , he was 13 , maybe 14 . On the first day of camp , I asked him what he’d been doing so far that summer . Smiling from ear -to-ear , he crouched down in the stance of a guitar player wailing on his instrument , and his fingers began flying up and down an imaginary guitar neck . I’ll never forget it .