Grandpa DuRee's Funeral

I finally got a copy of the letter from Jackie Grandpa DuRee's sister I am posting this mostly for Braydan and Helena but everyone else is welcome to read. I also got lots of pictures from dad so if you want them just let me know and I can get them to you, they are random ones of grandpa DuRee and even some of us I had never seen before!

Dear family and friends of Bill,

I just want to let you all know a little about my brother, Bill. Bill was 4 years older than me.When I was young Bill looked out for me. On our way to elementary school he made sure I got to school safely. He was like a watch dog, just like the dog that my mom & dad had. Mom told me the dog would make sure Bill didn't get over the fence by pulling him by the seat of his britches, or let him get out of the yard. When Bill, was about 9 or 10 he and brother Ed. sold magazines during the war. My mother would fix my hair and dress me real cute and I would sit on top of the magazines in a wagon and we would go out and sell them. Bill and Ed sold a lot when they went down to the army camp, down the street, and the solders bought them. (I bet it was because I was so cute.)

When Bill was in the Navy he never forgot me. He sent small things to me. He sent me a pair of flip flops from Hawaii (not the ones you see today), the bottom were woven with grass and Velvet for the top part. It was the first pair in Inglewood. I even wore them to school. A beautiful scarf, I wore it out. He also sent me a small 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 trinket box with two sliding doors at the top to expose 2 small drawers and a drawer at the bottom. I still have it and treasure it.

In 1955 Bill, sent me an airline ticket so I could go up and stay with Dale & Jennene, while Evelyn had her third child, Paul in Vallejo, Ca. That was my first airplane ride, boy was I scared. here are a lot of good memories. All Bill's children are very special.

I did talk to him when he had had some strokes while in Salem, OR. He had some close calls in the past and I told him he was a cat with 9 lives. He really laughed Wylene asked me what I said she hadn't seen him laugh in a long time. Bill, has been bitter and mad for a long time. He didn't realize everyone around him loved him and wanted the best for him. He also closed the door on god. I do hope you saw the good side of Bill and will forgive him for the not so good. Remember god is there if you let him in.

I will always remember the good times and the good side of Bill and I hope you do to.

Love you,

Sister and Aunt Jackie