William James Edwards III

I played with Will at a couple of shows. Just met him. He was the guy that I told myself "I´m looking forward to being friends with this guy". I texted him 3 days before he left us. It makes me sad. Though I knew him for a little while, I know he was a genuine and good person. Broke my heart to see him go and I send my condolences to his loved ones and the family.

It was an interesting relationship that my dear late brother and I shared with each other. Of the four of us we by far saw the least of each other. But in the days and weeks that followed his passing, I was so filled with joyous memories that I realized that for whatever time we did not get together, we did not go short. I told my family to remember that the longer life is not always the better life, just as the sweeter wine is not always the better wine. I thought of what Mark Twain said once: "Fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time." And BJ led a very full life. Then I thought of what Charlie Chaplin said once: "Death is one moment. Life is so many of them." And with BJ there were so many, many moments.
The last time that I really remember us being together was when I went to visit him in LA. BJ loved museums and we loved going to them together. I had been an art history minor and had taught it for several years, so I said, "We have to go to the Getty." And although he could have done the walking, we decided it best that he be in a wheelchair just so that he could be more comfortable. And at first, he seemed sort of embarrassed and crestfallen at the idea. But the moment I started wheeling him around, he became the king, prince, and emperor. We got very near to a painting of a man in armor, and I pointed out how his torso was far too long and not anatomically correct. He then noticed. But then I pulled him back by about ten or twelve feet and said, "But notice how at this distance, it looks anatomically perfect." And he loved that.
Cicero said once, "The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living". We must learn to live not in BJ´s shadow but in his light. Because as the Latin proverb says, "Without sun, no rainbow." My friend, the poet Isobel Armstrong once said, "When people die, they stay with you and grow inside you." And I have felt BJ growing inside me with each passing day.
One time, BJ texted me as he was about get on a plane to return to California and said that he was very sad to leave. I said, "Let me give you this quote from Maya Angelou." She said once, "Love liberates, it doesn´t bind. Love says I love you if you´re in China, I love you if you´re in Harlem, I love you if you´re across town: I love you. I would like to be near you. To have your voice in my ear. To have your arms around me. But all that´s not possible now. So go, I love you!" And he texted back (all in capitals), "SOOO GOOOOD!" with a crying emoji. One last quote. One of the founding fathers of this country, Hugh Peter, said once, "Good things are not like cherries, drawn by the lips, tasted and gone but are and stay good forever." So I want to say here and now, BJ forever!

Dear BJ,

Ironically, I feel that you are more with me now than ever. And that won´t change. There won´t be a day in my life that I won´t think of you. It´s not just the photos of you and Levi and G that Heather framed in our house that I see every day that makes this true, it´s the memories of you that swirl in my mind, memories that have been italicized since the day I heard the news of your passing.

Since we´re here to celebrate your life, I want to celebrate through my memories.

I remember the first time I saw you, the first time I met mom in the little house in Belmont. You and Nicole were hiding in the bushes as I walked up to the door, your giggles ushering me up the walk.

I remember you running around with Nicole at Kit and Jose´s house in Northhampton.

I remember picking you up at basketball practice at Doherty Middle School, and the time I forgot to get you and felt so bad that I went out and bought you presents to try to make up for my mistake.

I remember the masterful way you cooked bacon in the microwave. No one was better with bacon than you.

I remember you playing the saxophone up in your room when Eliot visited you - I´m not sure you had ever played it before. we thought it was Eliot. You were musically gifted from a young age.

I remember you winning the javelin at a track meet. You were throwing for Andover High against Phillips, and that only increased my pride in you.

I remember you tooling around Andover, delivering newspapers and then pizza. As grandma said to me the other day, you were such a great kid, such a hard worker.

I remember you picking up Weej from elementary school in the afternoons. Always the caring big brother to him and Mike

I remember celebrating your graduation from Andover High with Uncle Freddy
I remember you and your band opening for Taj Majal at the house of Blues when you were still in college. It was freaking loud! Deedee had ringing in her ears for a week!

I remember seeing you nattily dressed in a white shirt and black tie when you busted your butt for that crazy talent agent in LA.

I remember how brave you were in the hospital after your motorcycle accident; you knew you would lose your foot, but, somehow, you still had your sense of humor and managed to make us laugh.

I remember eating dinner at El Taller, a place I love, in Lawrence with you, mom, Nicole, Weej, and Mike, and the way you laughed with that inimitable, distinctive BJ laugh.

I remember you playing in the snow with Levi and Baby G in Ossipee. A loving father.

I remember us at the Cabin at Christmas time: you, Heather, Nicole, Tom, Mike, Parker, Milesy, Levi, G, Elijah and me. The fire cracking in the fireplace, the presents sitting under the tree, the snow falling softly in the woods, Silent Night playing in the background.

These are only few of the memories I hold of you, memories that bring you close to me, memories that assure me that you will always be with me.

BJ, though this letter is ending, I won´t say goodbye. Instead, I´ll say thank you for all you´ve given to me and the world.

Much love, Lou

William was a neighbor for a few years. He was unfailingly nice, and he was raising his sons to be as polite and nice as he was. Those boys doted on him! It always gladdened my heart when we chanced to meet in the hallways or in the lobby of our building. William just had the effect. William, you have no idea how much we all miss you. RIP, friend.

Will was the embodiment of what it means to stay true to yourself and your beliefs and never letting your mistakes define who you´re meant to become. Thank you for blessing us with your spirit Will

I made a playlist of some of the tracks that I think BJ produced over the last few years. I know several of the artists were there yesterday and spoke - I'm sure that I am barely scratching the surface, but here is the link:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6LaNRW9nAHyeTxO1Qn6mNq?si=6yn-NMKeQuyVNofj2KCzawπ=u-fc3bc2KtRASc

As a teenager, and the apple of Dee Dee´s eye!

BJ was a larger than life character when we met at Bancroft Elementary school in Andover, MA. (See photos) At a young age, the dude had style, swagger and a level of intensity and determination in whatever he did. His sense of humor was always incredibly sharp.

One time at a recess kickball game, BJ kicked it into homerun territory and knocked out one of the teacher aides (unintentionally). She didn't see it coming, but we all did. It was unfortunate and hilarious at the same time.

Through middle and high school, his musical and artistic gifts were ever expanding. It was amazing to see where his talents and passions took him in life.

He was an inspiration to many and always will be. Work hard, always ask the deeper questions, hone your skills and forge your own path.

Will we love you so much. You were the older brother I wish that I grew up with when I was a child. I´m so blessed we were able to be share our adventure from 2016 until now. There isn´t a single day that goes by where you don´t cross my mind. I´m grateful and happy to have you in my heart and mind. I know you´re in a better place & I hope that with all things occurring in this world you are looking down and being proud of all of us. Rogue black forever

We got in a fight at Doherty middle school. Best friends ever since.

Bob Minasian came to pick me up at my house in high school, and BJ heard I played guitar so he came along for the ride. We immediately became friends.

William taught me a lot. He found me at ice cream sound studios and took me under his wing. At first he was a bit hesitant picking up new artist at the time to work with but I put in the work to show him I was different & I was serious. In the past 3 years we worked relentlessly, talking everyday for more than two hours at a time sometimes and working in the studio everyday for 3-12 hours at a time crafting my sound and my style. He wanted me to be the light and move away from darker themes in music I was into when he found me. I learned my entire style through him as an artist. He entrusted me through this process will operating his recording studios, giving me an opportunity to earn income and work on our shared goal to get me signed as an artist. He would introduce me to his close peers as his next Travis Scott. It was an honor to be mentored by William. I paid attention closely. Throughout our journey together we became close enough to consider each other family.

We send our deepest sympathies at this awful time, and so much love to your beautiful family.

My Deepest and Sincerest Condolences to The Mr. William James Edwards Family

William helped me greatly in my early sobriety and I will always be in his debt for that. His kindness, empathy and integrity is something that the world could use more of. He will be sorely missed, and I hope one day, when my time comes, I get to see him again. Much love,
Dec

God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.