Kathryn A. Kaplan
Dear Cleburne, Bobby, Don, and all those who knew and loved Billy so much – The service to honor Billy was so beautiful and perfect. While Billy is no longer with us, his spirit and memory are alive with all of those who came to honor him. It was indeed an honor to attend his memorial.
The ladies of my family and Billy were dear friends. We’ve reminisced about the many years he took care of us. And, that doesn’t just mean that we had the privilege to sit in his chair at the salon.
Oh, did we enjoy his cooking skills tremendously. Just a year ago, Billy helped my mom feed college students from the Valparaiso Choir who were in town for a concert. Billy made two large Dutch ovens of chicken spaghetti. There was none left! Most of those students had never had chicken spaghetti and were quite complementary of this new delicacy they enjoyed.
But as was said at his memorial, Billy had a very big heart. My mother just did not miss a hair appointment. Woe be unto anyone that scheduled anything on beauty shop day. That day was sacred. Mom did miss a few of those days this past year due to some pesky health issues. But Billy always came to the rescue. He and Cleburne always took extraordinary care of Mom; just as he would when the grand girls were in town for the holidays. Billy would always find the time for the youngest generation to have a turn in his chair.
We consider Billy a member of our family.
On behalf of the late Pauline Cargill; Paula and Charles Kaplan, the Kaplan girls – Kathy, Julie, Melanie, Carrie and Kari; the next generation of girls – Hannah, Pauline, Emma, and Julia and yes all of the guys too, we extend our condolences to Billy’s family. Billy was a constant in our world for 50+ years. He will not be forgotten. Godspeed Billy.
Kathryn Kaplan
