Final Update on Bill

The bonfires on April 24^th and 25^th were very successful. Bill enjoyed seeing everyone and was delighted that the atmosphere was light and happy.

On April 30, Bill requested that I place calendar pages up on his bathroom mirror so he could see the plans for the day to help him keep track. On the pages, he requested we number the days from the date of the MRI.

On Sunday May 3^rd (day 18), he called me into our room and told me the headache was getting worse. He then asked how the end was to be. I explained to him when he was ready I would call the doctor and he would get a room at Sand Lake Hospital. Once admitted, he would be able to get an IV with stronger medication that would get rid of his horrible headache. He asked me to make that call. He was ready. He asked if it could be calm and kept quiet. I feel very blessed that his deficits were minimal until he was admitted to the hospital.

On Monday, he still had his wonderful sense of humor. However, I could tell that the deficits where starting to get stronger. His ability to walk was getting harder and his sight began to fail.

Tuesday morning I could tell that any outside stimulation was making him irritable and unable to rest. At this time, I requested no more visitors. He was able to go unresponsive and rest peacefully.

William (Bill) Joseph Casey III, age 47, died on Wednesday May 6 (day 21), succumbing to a GBM grade 4 brain tumor after a two year and nine month challenge.

Bill was born in Wilmington, Delaware, and was a graduate of the University of Delaware. He began his career in computer sales at IBM in Delaware, and later he directed a financial retirement planning corporation known as Legacy Financial Solutions, Inc. He was a resident of Windermere since 1993.

Bill is survived by his wife of 20 years, Gail, and his two sons, Will and Sean. Both boys are AP honors students of the Center of International Studies program at Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, Florida. Will is one of the valedictorians of the 2009 graduating class.

His parents, William and Shirley Casey, of New Smyrna Beach; his sister Beth Garrison and her husband Chris King of Fredericksburg, Virginia; his sister Kathy and her husband Dave Burch of Houston, Texas, also survive Bill.

He will be greatly missed by his in-laws: Diane Danitz, Nancy and Joe Darone, Joanne and Dave Kocak, and Don and Patty Harder of Buffalo, New York.

He is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews in Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Utah, and Pennsylvania.

Bill enjoyed golfing, fishing, fantasy football, and was a devoted fan of all Philadelphia sports teams. Go Eagles! He was rich with friends and family.

From the time of his diagnosis, Bill was determined to continue to live his life to the fullest. His courage and optimism in the face of tremendous odds has been an inspiration to all who were lucky enough to know him.

Family and friends traveled from all over the world to see him in his final weeks. His spirit, grace, and good nature never wavered.

It was Bill’s wish not to have a formal service. We felt that all the bonfires have served as the celebration of life that he requested instead. We thank everyone for coming and making Bill’s final days full of Love and Joy!

He did wish for some of his ashes to be spread on the golf course. We will be doing this during a memorial golf tournament during Bay Hill Invitational Tournament Weekend next March 2010. If you would like to be included in that tournament please send a return email and I will make sure you are on that list.

On July 25, 2009 at sunset, we are going to have a small memorial on the beach in New Smyrna, directed by Jane Smith (Bill’s cousin). If you would like to come spend the day at the beach with us, you are more than welcome. Please send a return email and I will keep you informed.

As time has a way of changing things, the above plans will replace the original plans of doing something this Memorial weekend. It was too soon.

In answer to the never-ending question of “What can I do for you?” I would greatly appreciate if you could put a short memory of Bill in writing for his children and send it to me via return email. Bill asked that people share something about him in either business or pleasure that would show the boys a reflection of him as a man they might not see otherwise.

I know this will take longer than making a donation online in his name or maybe even cooking the boys a meal, but it will last so much longer and mean so much more. It can be short and easy, like a joke you may have shared with him.

The boys and I are doing quite well. I think the difference for us is the fact that we watched the man we love so much change over a 3-year period. We saw the day-to-day changes. He could not do things he loved. The frustration with the physical, emotional, and mental issues of this illness was very difficult to watch. Bill was very good at hiding these things from other people. I cannot count the amount of times he would be on the phone with some one and tell them he was doing great then hang up the phone and go to bed for the rest of the day. Bill told me that when that last day came to remember how much relief and release he would feel.

It would help immensely if when you see us you could see us with possibility instead of sorrow. Bill gave the boys and me a lot to look forward to. He did his job well and gave us a good foundation to build on. We will survive with his strength, love, and happiness. He will always be with us.

On behalf of all our family, I would like to thank you all for all your prayers, thoughts, and actions during this difficult time.

Light, Love and May God Bless you all!

Gail, Bill, Will, and Sean Casey