Update on Wil Mills
 

Hello all,

Wil has come home to a place called Zachary here in Louisiana, a suburb of Baton Rouge not terribly far from me, where I suspect he will be going on hospice, at his parents' place. I hope to pay him a visit, if any of you would like me to pass along your sentiments, news, jokes, etc.

Jennifer

Yes, it's hospice. Hug him for me and all his poetry friends.

New update from Kathryn at Wil's Caring Bridge Site:

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/wilmills1

Kathryn informed me yesterday that they will be discontinuing Wil's Sewanee email account now, and sending out an automatic re-direct to her email address.

Here is this morning's post at Wil's Caring Bridge site. God bless Wil Mills. --Tim

Friends and Family:

Kathryn asked me to write a journal entry to update you. She is constantly very busy with Wil.

I went down to the kitchen this morning to fix coffee around 7:00 a.m. I was greeted by Jenny. She encouraged me to "get Phoebe Agnes and Benjamin".

Wil appeared to have reached a new place, having very labored and infrequent breathing and being somewhat detached in his awareness. (Over the weeks, Wil has lost a tremendous amount of weight, yet he has continued to request, and receive, both food and drink.)

So, the word went out through the house to surround Wil, as the end seemed near. The hospice nurse was paged. We sought advice on what was happening.

Gathered in the room were Kathryn, who has been faithfully by his side, and Wil’s family- Parents Wilmer and Betsy Mills, parents-in-law Mary Ann and Raymond Oliver, Sister Jenny Gueltig, brother John and his wife Greta-Barbour, sister Kate Irby and I, her husband, Kathryn's brother Nathan Oliver; as well as Wil and Kathryn's children Benjamin (13) and Phoebe Agnes (11).

It was very special time together as we prayed fervently for Wil and his immediate family. We sang together many hymns- "For the Beauty of the Earth", "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence", Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee", "Fairest Lord Jesus", "Go Tell It on the Mountain", "How Great Thou Art" and “Amazing Grace”.

Betsy Mills sang Wil a song that she had written, with which Wil was familiar- "Just Wait and See What God Will Do". She also read aloud some of Wil's poems from his book, Light for the Orphans.

Wilmer read Revelation 21 aloud. Kathryn read Psalm 139 in French and in English.

The hospice nurse arrived and conferred with Kathryn. We learned that Wil was near the end. He is soon going to be with the Lord. We trust God’s timing; we know that Wil is in His hands. We are also so grateful that Wil has been so peaceful in his resting. Overall, it seems that his pain has been managed well.

The family has been watching and waiting with Wil all day. Tonight, we are taking shifts in an all-night vigil.

We appreciate all of your prayers, encouragements in the CaringBridge guest book and all the wonderful calls, visits and food! We have truly felt God’s presence and His peace.

Charles

Thinking of Wil
 

This is very sad news. The faith and love of Wil's family and their description of how Wil and they are dealing with their vigil is a wonderful testimony to Wil and his family. My thoughts and prayers are with them all.

Wil died at 2:48 this afternoon, Central Time, surrounded by his family. His was a particularly painful form of cancer, no hope, and it is a blessing that the trial is over. I hope to see him again in about thirty years!

Say a prayer for his wonderful wife, Kathryn, and his children. Wil was a special man.

Such sad news. May God bless the family.

Wil and I had a religious discussion some years ago. He was a true Calvinist and explained his position. I asked, "So you're saying that if I choose to follow God and do good works, it still isn't enough?" He answered, "He wouldn't be much of a God if I could choose Him." I shall miss him, as will many others.

I wonder if this post will work:

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/wilmills1

I am so sorry. He was a good man and a good poet, and he leaves a beautiful family behind.

I knew Will peripherally from various encounters at WCU, and was always struck by the combination of talent and lack of ego, a sense of being at ease with life. It's easy to see why he impressed so many.

I last spoke with Wil a few weeks ago by phone. He was so excited over his acceptance from The New Criterion, going on spiritedly to me about the upcoming poem, outlining it for me, delving into its theology. I hope you all will watch for it.

Jennifer

I did not know him, but he was born a year after me so I know he was too young to go. My thoughts are with his family and friends, including those of you here.

David R.

Such sad news. Is there a fund or anything people can contribute to for the kids?

Alicia, something may have changed since, but months ago, I pointedly asked Wil if there were anything we could do for the family financially. He said no, they were well taken care of.

But Dick Davis tells me that there may soon be a scholarship in his name through WCU, for the West Chester Conference, and friends may contribute to that.

I will dig into it, and report back when I can.

J