“His brightness shines for eternity”
Loving, tender, creative, funny. Billy saw the world differently than most. He was passionate about things he cared about and showed empathy and compassion for people who struggled. Childhood memories are filled with his love and laughter. An affectionate child, he loved to snuggle and be with his family. He was the entertainer of the family, crafting funny stories like no one else.
The most memorable family vacation was a trip to California when Billy was 13. Billy fell in love with California on that trip. He ended up living in California right in the area they had visited. It was bittersweet that this was also where he died.
In his late teenage years, he became passionate about music. He played the guitar, although he was not interested in lessons. Billy went to local music festivals and, as he got older, started traveling the country with others to see the Grateful Dead, Widespread Panic and others. Billy had a great voice and loved to sing. He also loved to cook and was creative in the kitchen with an interest in growing organic food, and in farm to table cooking before that was popular. He always seemed ahead of his time. One friend described him as having one foot in this world and one foot already in the next.
Billy has two half-sisters, Renie, and Libby, and two brothers-in-law, Mark, and Kit. He also has four nieces and one nephew, Chloe, Laura, Alex, Anna, and Mark. He had a fun relationship with all of them and they all adored him.
Growing up, Billy was close to his cousins Ashley and Forrest and spent lots of time in Auburn with them and his grandparents. They had many fond memories of Lake Martin, where their family gathered with Billy’s Aunt Carol and Uncle Bill for long weekends and summer excursions. Billy spent a lot of time with his Uncle Steve and Aunt Kelly on their horse farm in Georgia. He and Aunt Kelly were kindred spirits. She taught him a love of horses and the outdoors.
Billy had a relationship with his girlfriend Joanna for about five years. They were meant for each other. In his words, he was “smitten by her.” Billy’s dog Sage, a beautiful chocolate lab, was truly his best friend and companion. He loved and cared for her more than he did himself. Sage was with him from the age of 16 until the day he died. She traveled all over the country with him, his constant companion. She was allowed into the hospital to be by his side, and was with him when he passed away.
Julie has a letter from a man named Ron in California whom she never met. He was part of a group at a shelter in Guerneville, California, which Billy frequented. She was told he never stayed there, but he would go by and “entertain” the people that lived in the shelter who were otherwise unhoused. Billy played the guitar, talked to them, and listened to their stories. Ron wrote the letter to thank Julie for raising Billy to be such a loving person. He made a difference in their lives. He referred to Billy as “The Sunshine of Guerneville.” Billy’s life had meaning and though some may not see or understand it completely, his life had purpose.
Julie Humber, Billy’s mother, provided the information for this narrative.
September 11, 1985-October 9, 2016-Age 31
Portrait Artist: Jeremy Hebbel
Narrative Writer: Lynn McKnight
