In 2016, I learned that someone in the electoral college cast their vote for Ron Paul. I didn’t know who it was, but I knew I had a new hero. I talked about that vote for weeks. 

Fast forward to April 2017. I attended an event at Ron Paul’s house. It was a magical night I’ll never forget. We all sat down to dinner and this gentleman was entertaining our little table with his stories. He was clearly brilliant and yet had a humble attitude. You couldn’t help but like him. 

After dinner, Dr. Paul and several others made their speeches. Then, the man I had eaten dinner right next to got up, gave a speech, and presented Dr. Paul with a framed copy of his electoral college vote. OMG!!! I had just eaten dinner with my newest hero, that just happened to be Bill!

You were taken too soon, Bill. We miss you dearly. 

Many of my memories of Bill are like a video in my head. It's hard to describe them. He could be both the funniest person on earth, and the most infuriating, with not a lot inbetween. He could set you straight in one sentence, though, without the person on the receiving end getting mad or offended, even when he was 18. A rare gift! 

I was literally just thinking as I wrote this, that I wished I'd thought to ask him how he did that, but I immediately saw that smile of his in my head. If you knew Bill, you already know the selection of verbal responses that went with that smile.  

I miss my dear friend and Cherokee kinsman almost daily. I still can't fathom why he was called to the other side so soon, but I'm so incredibly grateful that I was able to be his friend for so many years.