William Hilliard

Jeff only had 45 years to be with us.  It wasn't anyone's fault.  He didn't catch something, his doctors didn't make a mistake, it wasn't his lifestyle.  Something in his genetic programming was scheduled to go 45 years before the tumor took over.  Jeff never could have known that on any conscious level.  But maybe on some subconscious level, his mind was aware of this and that caused him to be the Jeff we knew and were so glad to call our friend.  The Jeff who was a fun-loving, uninhibited guy who loved life instead of just being some grumpy old guy. 

 I can think back on examples from Jeff's entire life as to how he lived that way.  If something would make you laugh, Jeff was willing to do it, or tell about it, even if it was at his own expense.  If it made us happy, then Jeff was happy.  That was Jeff, and maybe because he only had 45 years he appreciated us more than we could appreciate him.

 Even near his end, he was more concerned about bringing our mood down because he wasn't feeling well than he was about anything that might be happening to him. 

 We should all be lucky enough to enjoy life that much. His legacy to me is to follow his example and enjoy life, family and friends to the fullest. Save a stool at the pub for me, Jeff.