William Denson

I've been trying to think about what I can say to do justice to my wonderful friend Bill, but I can't seem to find the words. I was lucky to meet him and his lovely wife Pat, because he was a client of my husband Ricks.
Over the years, their business relationship grew into a friendship, and I was able to spend more time with them. They started traveling to Washington Missouri to help us with our "Cajun Party" that benefitted our local Catholic High School - our Alma Mater. During those trips I got to know what a wonderful, giving, funny, loving, and great hugger Bill was. He could give the best hugs. There was no doubt how much he cared about you when he gave you a hug.
When we weren't cooking and preparing the food for the party, we spent hours talking about Bill's family. Oh how he loved his family. He would light up talking about his girls, but no one was as special as his "Patricia". He always wanted to know about our family too, showing concern for them like they were part of his family.
Over the years, even when we couldn't be with Bill, he and I would communicate on a regular basis via text. Every time it would storm in Texas I would text him to be sure he and Pat were ok. He would text back and fill me in, and thank me for always checking on him He would always tell me to "hug on Rick" for him so that Rick knew he missed seeing him. I'm not sure what I will do with out those texts in the future.
Bill was the sort of friend a person is lucky to have and that will stay in your heart forever. I know he is up there looking down on us, remembering all the good times we had, waiting to give me one of those big hugs again some day.

All of the accolades I have read in the notes about Bill`s passing are absolutely true but understated in my experience with this wonderful man.  His love for his wife, Pat, was so extraordinary. He would do anything to save her even the least discomfort. Likewise, her love for him was so similar because she always wanted to take care of "my little precious". Likewise, his love for his daughters and grandchildren beamed with a glow every time he spoke of them.  

In addition to the personal relationship that I had with Bill over the 30 years or so that we were friends, I had the pleasure of working with Bill professionally. I had the honor to serve as the company´s attorney for a number of years when he and two other gentlemen were running their own leak repair business. In those dealings, Bill was always a standup guy who always chose the high road when it came to an issue that required a choice of paths. He was always led by the right thing to do, and by his religious beliefs that provided support and comfort to him in making those decisions.

Bill was so generous with his time for others and would go out of his way to be of assistance. For a number of years Bill and Pat would come to Washington Missouri to assist in a fundraising Shrimp Boil function benefiting St. Francis Borgia Catholic high school. He donated his time and talents to assist in making those events, a huge success. In doing so he made many friends in Washington Missouri who will miss him dearly. He is officially known in Washington Missouri as "Chef Bill." His sister Beverly, whom he adored had the opportunity to visit with Bill in Washington, Missouri on at least one occasion at one of these events and I´m certain can attest to the love and devotion Bill had from the people in Washington that he touched. We are also thankful that Pat and Bill became part of our community and touched. our lives, even though it was very sporadic and for short periods of time they made such an impression. I am constantly asked by some of the people in town about how he´s doing and do you think we´ll get a chance to see him in Washington again. We always looked forward to the next visit.

I am most honored to be able to call him a friend and even more humbled to believe that he did the same to me.

Oh my...What a great loving man Bill was. I was at a distance, but his enthusiasm, encouragement and team building was always obvious. If you were in a bind, Bill was all in no matter what. My dad and I met Bill, Jim S, Hal and others several times at the shop to load into work trucks to help friends in need. Many times I never understood the details...just that good folks needed help. Just a big young buck here following good Christians. My folks had years of a loving relationship with Pat. Such a beautiful person. I never inquired into Vietnam issues, but all my gut tells me Bill saw some bad stuff...and then found his support network and rallied to do his very best. My dad and Bill seemed to have built very meaningful relationship over 3+ decades. Bill, Bob is ready for your arrival!