Funeral Talk given by Aric Fletcher

William B. Fletcher, a good father, grandfather, husband, son, brother, counselor, coach, elk hunter, friend and most of all a man of God. There are so many words to describe my dad, but if I had to choose one it would be the word Love. He always said love is all we have, without love we’re nothing. We were always so proud of him. We know how much impact he had on people. He helped so many in his life.

Dad was always joking. He always made us laugh. It was the best though when YOU would laugh Dad. It made us so happy to see your wonderful smile. But it wasn’t always peaches and cream with dad…like when I would bring a girl home he would always walk around with his shirt off, and my dates were always like “That’s your father? He’s so fine, are you gonna look like that when you’re older?”
Gee thanks Dad!

Bill was a very spiritual man. It’s no wonder your favorite place in the world was in the mountains…especially the Uintah Mountains where you got your first big bull elk Sampson.. You took us there a lot. Countless hours we spent with you up there. You showed us everything about the wilderness, and that’s what you were dad…a teacher. You never stopped teaching. You loved so much being a professor, not only did you teach in your counseling office and classroom, but also you were a teacher of life.

You thought of us all in some special way. Dad’s beautiful daughter Andrea, he taught you how important an education was and you went all the way. He asked you if you were sure you wanted the counseling degree and then encouraged you when you wanted to follow his footsteps. He loved being with Robert and your beautiful girls, his first grandchildren. I know he is so proud of you, we all are. You done good as he would say.

Dad’s beautiful daughter Hollie, I know how hard it was for you growing up. Dad taught you perseverance. He showed you how to overcome your obstacles. He was there, throughout all your surgeries. When you’d wake up he was right there, because you wanted your daddy. Hollie, Dad is proud of you. We all are. You done good!
Dad’s beautiful daughter Angela (Dawnie), he gave you encouragement. He loved watching you dance so much. You are so talented and beautiful. It’s no wonder you were Little Miss Utah and went to Orlando to compete in the nationals. He was so proud of you, we all are. I’m so happy he got to see his beautiful granddaughter Marli, the day before he died. He loved you Tym, he always enjoyed being around you.

Dad’s extremely talented son Marc, Dad taught you his passion in life…hunting. Hunting consists of many things, strength, endurance, discipline, respect, structure, persistence, motivation, optimism, patience and hope. There is something very special about you. You are the spittin image of Dad. Your smile, your stance, your hands. He is still alive in you. When I was young I told him I didn’t want to shoot prey anymore. It was so hard for me to tell him. But you took that role. Everyone knows what that meant to him. I know he is so proud of you. We all are. And we will find Dad’s beast of the woods…Jackson.

Mom, without you, Dad wouldn’t have had us, I know he is so thankful for that. You were his loving wife for 26 years. You had so much history together and we have so many good memories.

Bills big boy grandson, “Aizik Da Boom” and his beautiful granddaughter Marli “Jugga”…dance your tail off.

Grampa Dick and Grandma Shirley, we will never forget how you treated him. You loved him, and he loved you both very much. I know he is with your son Paul now, teaching together.

Dad’s loving, caring wife Eileen. He loved loving you. I’m so thankful he met you. You made my father so happy with all the love you gave him. He loved your kids and treated them as his own.

Bill was a man of words and quotes like “Outstanding!” or “That’s uptown!” or “Sweet!” He loved nicknames and he had nicknames for everyone. And we called him “Crazy Elk”. I think Grampa Dick named you that.

Another big part of Bill’s teaching in life was coaching. The man loved soccer. For someone who never played the sport, he sure had the knowledge for it. He touched so many lives through sports….tee ball, basketball and soccer.

Dad you taught me faith and to believe in myself. Whether it was the big soccer game I played against BYU for the national championship or being the best father to my son Aizik, you had faith in me. You had faith in me on the day you died. If I didn’t have the faith that you gave me, where would Marc and I be? We were so exhausted Dad and we tried so hard to find you. The storm was like nothing I’d ever seen. We had no shelter and we were panicked, but our faith kept us going. Faith made the cell phone work in the rugged mountain storm. Faith made the fire start in strong winds. Faith made me believe my son and family would see us again. Faith made the two bald eagles appear letting us know you were with us. Faith guided the helicopter to us just before dark. Dad we know our faith was you. Dad, it was so hard to stay motivated and maintain composure knowing you were in harm’s way. We were so scared Dad, but we didn’t give up. We gave it our all, just like you taught us. Dad you always said to me, “Boy, I want to die in the mountains!” God bless you Dad, you died right where you wanted to and I know you are with Jesus now. We all love you forever. Thanks for an “Outstanding” life!