Sermon Tone Analysis

Funeral Message for Bill Winans

Life Legacy

Billy Forest Winans, 93, of Washington went home to be with the Lord June 20, 2019 at his residence.

He was born on November 5, 1925 in Weston, WV and was the son of the late Blair F. and Zelma Snyder Winans.

Billy worked as a sales merchandiser for Storck Baking Co. for 25 years.

He was Southern Baptist by faith and a member of Fairlawn Baptist Church.

Billy was a wood craftsman and enjoyed participating in crafts shows with his beautiful, intricate scroll saw creations.

He also loved camping and traveling the beautiful mountains of WV.

Most of all, Billy loved spending time with his family.

Billy is survived by his loving wife of 34 years Mary E. Francis Winans, daughter Debbie L. Roush (Jeff), son Bill Winans Jr. (Meg), stepchildren Billy, Stephen and Nancy, grandchildren Cindy, Rhonda, Monica, Dea, step grandchildren Steven, Angie, Krissy, Casey, Mary, Kayla and Josh, 20 great-grandchildren, sister Anna and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepson Douglass, brother Bernard Winans and baby sister.

Mary asked him if he was scared of dying and Billy said “I think the Lord wants me to build something for him, so I gotta go and I will build a way for you sweetheart” (Please stop crying).

I would like to thank all of you on behalf of Bill’s family for being here today, I know that it means a lot to them.

We’re here today to remember Bill’s life, and how his life touched each one of use that are here today.

Some of you knew Bill for a long time.

Some of you grew up with him or went church or did woodworking with him.

Others of us may just met him or are friends with his children.

But his life has still touched ours.

Each of us leave a legacy that outlast our time on this earth.

Our legacy is something that impacts the lives of those around us in good ways and in bad ways.

The life we live on earth is only one chapter in the book of our lives.

The rest of the book is written once we have moved on to our eternal destination.

It is written in the lives of those we came in contact with, the ones we loved and the ones we hurt.

When my life is through here on earth, what will my legacy be?

What will yours be?

I pray it is one of love for people and love for the Lord.

This is a time when we need to gather around one another and show support for one another.

Let’s Pray

Offer the opportunity to Speak to the family and friends.

Let me read for you out of the Psalms this morning

.

I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters,

He restores my soul;

He leads me in paths of righteousness

For his name sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Dr. James Dobson said one time, “There are only three things that matter in life, The people you Love… The people that Love you… And where your going when you die.”

I know that Bill was a man that believed in hard work and loved woodworking and serving the Lord.

Bill he also took time to be with his family and friends.

He loved Mary and his family!

Bill enjoyed life.

Family was important, Friends were important and he thought of others.

He has a legacy.

My mind goes back to the early church.

Jesus had died on a cross and was buried in a tomb just as he said he would.

A few days later some women went to check on the body and when they got there Jesus was not there and an angel told them that he had risen.

She ran back gathered all the people together and Jesus showed up.

He broke bread and ate with them and before too long he ascended up into heaven.

But before he left them he told them to go to Jerusalem and wait because he was going to send a comforter for them.

Once the Holy Spirit arrived, they began to proclaim the name of Jesus in Jerusalem and eventually all the world.

Their Legacy, the early church legacy, impacted my life on March 7th 2004 and I was saved!

Because of their lives, their willingness, their legacy, I can experience Christ today.

Bill was a part of that legacy.

I remember seeing him mow the grass here at the church back when we started here.

He was also so friendly and talked to me when not many did.

We all get to be a part of a legacy like that today.

Every life has a legacy.

Bill’s was one of family, friends and a love for Lord.

What is your legacy going to be?

I honestly believe that if Bill were here with us today, he would tell us not to get so caught up in life that you don’t take time to enjoy it.

Nor would he want us to miss the impact of our lives and the choices of our life.

Remember the statement earlier “There are only three things that matter in life, The people you Love… The people that Love you… And where your going when you die.”

Run the race with endurance and respect.

Leave a great legacy for your children.

Psalm, says,

, says,

God is our refuge and strength,

A very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear

Even though the earth be removed

And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea

Though its water roar and be troubled

Though the mountains shake with its swelling

There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God

God is in the mist of her, she shall not be moved.

The legacy of God is being built up through lives like Bill’s.

Maybe that is exactly what Bill meant the other day when he said to Mary the other day, that God wanted him up there to build something, building something for the Lord.

He certainly built a lot of things here on this earth.

He built those he loved, He was built by those who loved him and He knew exactly where he was going when he died.

It was a life well lived and a legacy well left.

May we always be so blessed.

(ESV)

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Bill told me the last time I saw him in the hospital, I asked how he was.

He said, “Not too good”.

I asked if there was anything I could do for him.

His answer summed up what we celebrate today.

He said, I just can’t breathe here but, you know what, I’ll be able to breathe there as he pointed up.