Bella Vista Church of Christ
LIFELINES
June 5, 2002 Randall Caselman
In Memory: Bill Montgomery
Bill Montgomery passed from this life Wednesday, May 29th, at the age of 67. Bill was born October 17, 1934, in Clinton, Missouri, the son of Guy Edwin and Matilda (Hendricks) Montgomery.
Bill and Mary moved to Bella Vista three years ago from Wichita, Kansas. He was a faithful member of the Bella Vista Church of Christ. A Sales & Marketing representative for Great Plains Industries for 18 years, traveling all 50 states. He was an avid golfer and a member of both the 18 Hole Men's Golf Association and the Lakers Golf Group.
He is survived by his wife Mary Montgomery of the home; four sons: David Montgomery of Overland Park, Kansas; Brett Montgomery of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Jim Horsky and wife Paula of Wichita, Kansas; Jeff Horsky and wife, Kim of Raleigh, North Carolina. One daughter, Denise Croneis of Incline Village, Nevada. A sister Marilyn Gormly and husband, John of Cincinnati, Ohio. Bill had four grandchildren: Kayla Horsky, Jarret Horsky, Aspen Croneis, and Aaron Croneis. Bill's body awaits the resurrection at the Bella Vista Cemetery.
We are surprised, touched, hurt and saddened by Bill's passing. Yet, on the other hand, we rejoice in the fact this his trials, pain and suffering are over. We grieve and mourn our loss, but celebrate Bill's victory. We are sad that he is gone, but happy that his passage from this life was peaceful. We rejoice in the fact that he had family and friends at his side during these past few weeks. We are comforted that he was a child of God, and had secured a place in His kingdom.
How do we fill this void in our lives? I'm not sure, but I do know that God will help; our memories of Bill will help; and his tender heart, smile and good nature will help.
We can celebrate and honor Bill Montgomery for a lot of things, but perhaps the most meaningful was his faith. Jesus said... "If you believe in God... You can believe in Me." Faith makes a difference in a lot of things, doesn't it? Faith prompts our obedience, faith forgives our sins, faith removes our guilt. Faith makes us children of God. Faith saves us. Faith pleases God. Thank you Lord, for the blessings of faith!!
One of Bill's favorite verses was Hebrews 12.2... "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus... The author and perfecter of our faith. Bill's trust, his confidence, was in God, and what God did for him, and us at the cross. Allow me to point out a couple of blessings associated with Bill's faith...
His faith allowed him to live in peace. Not many know this, but a few months ago Bill came to me saying... Could we talk? Bill wanted to make sure of his salvation, sure that his relationship with God and with other people was right in every way. This was weeks before any symptoms of the cancer ever appeared. We can celebrate Bill's faith, not just on his deathbed, but in all of life. Bill Montgomery lived by faith. What a blessing!! What salvation!! What security!! What peace!!
Secondly, faith allowed Bill to die in peace. Like for most of us, the initial diagnosis was tough. And the prognosis was uncomfortable and uncontrollable. But because of his faith, his absolute trust in God, in a few days came resignation and acceptance. His conversation begin to change and we heard things like... Well it is in God's hands... We are all in God's hands... God knows best... I am ready to go. Then there came times when he actually looked forward to seeing the angel come for him.
Let me tell you folk, there is no better way to die, than to die as did Bill Montgomery.... In the arms of your spouse, repeating the Lord's Prayer. Wednesday evening Bill's faith prompted him to start that prayer... Our Father who art in heaven... Mary joined in, and when they finished it, Bill was gone. Indeed! What a way to live, and what a way to die... by faith.
I don't have the answer to why? Why Bill? Why not someone else far away? Why now? Why not thirty more years together? I don't know, but I know we can trust in God's timing. God never gets in a hurry. He never gets behind. He is never premature. God is always on time.
Aren't you glad that we don't have to choose the time of our own death, or even worse, the death of our loved ones? We are never ready to say good-bye, but God always knows when it's time. He always knows what is best for us, for Bill, Mary, Marilyn, the children, for this church. We must trust His wisdom. We must trust that He can take this event and somehow work it out to our benefit, to our good. That is His promise!!
B. J. Huff once wrote... "Life always brings us questions without answers; to live is to encounter silent seasons of the soul, when even our prayers seem to go unanswered; as we face that which is beyond our understanding or control. Yet... in the quiet darkness, Jesus is working. You see, His silence in the shadows doesn't mean He doesn't care; a part of our faith is trusting without reason... Believing... When He can't be seen or heard... That He is still there. So, when answers fail to come, don't be discouraged... Keep leaning on His steadfast... Everlasting arms... Keep trusting in His love... For knowing WHY will not really make a difference, but growing closer to Him, and closer to one another will!"
Someone has rightly said, when you can't see God working in your life, trust His promises. Thank you Lord... For your timing in our lives... Help us to trust You implicitly... Amen?
Mary told me of a time a few years ago when she and Bill were struggling with some heavy challenges and he gave her a card which contained these verses...
Someone will always be here to love you.
Someone will always cherish the warmth of your smile
and the happiness in your heart.
Someone wants to always be close enough to care in every way
and to treasure each and every day spent together.
Someone will always keep you lovingly in mind and will welcome every
opportunity to find you in happy thoughts.
Someone will always know that life is good because of you,
and that tomorrow has a bright and shining hope
that wouldn't be there if you weren't here today.
Someone will always try to find the words to thank you for filling life
with dreams come true... And with beautiful memories.
Someone will always love you… And that someone will always be me.
Love... Bill
Perhaps the best way for us to honor Bill Montgomery is to always love God, love our family, love the church, love our friends; and always be there when they need us most. Thank you Lord for making fellowship and friendship with You and with one another possible. Help us to pursue it. Amen.
RANDALL CASELMAN
