Name: SUNSET NORTHWEST FUNERAL HOME
Address: San Antonio, TX

For Grandpa,

My grandfather was a lot of things: a husband, a father, a gardener, a soldier, a Texan, an adventurer, my confirmation sponsor, and most of all, a fighter.

This is the part of his legacy I want to carry with me every day of my life.
Just as he did. 

While we all grieve here now, I am confident that he and my grandmother, Winnie, are looking down smiling at this beautiful family they left behind. 

Probably while they garden in God’s kingdom. Who knows? Maybe they even have a Chili’s. 

While I am mourning today, I find solace in the fact that he left a little bit of himself in each of our hearts, so that he will continue to live on. 

John 16:22

Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

The past week has been a fitting finale that you would have impressed you. The ceremonies went according to plan from start to finish and were a fitting exemplar of how well you and Winnie raised your five daughters. Everybody – and I mean everybody – had nice things to say about you, and about Winnie, and you will be sorely missed.
At the very emotional Rosary, I recanted the story of our first meeting, just days before I married your beautiful daughter. I still remember some anxiety about meeting you, a 25-year veteran Sergeant Major. In the British Army, I knew exactly how grizzled and gruff our Sergeant Majors are, and I had seen the movies Platoon, Heartbreak Ridge and Hamburger Hill – some tough soldier portrayals for some tough conflicts. At the same time as meeting me for the first time, I had my parents at our house as well.
When we did meet, you turned out to be the nicest man around. You accepted me for exactly who I was, you accepted my parents with open arms and shared the whiskey bottle and smoked up a storm with them when you all stayed up that first night (like naughty children!) when Bernadette and I had gone to sleep. That open-armed reception was continued when I came to America and left my family thousands of miles away. The MacRae clan became my surrogate family and you all made me feel very much a part of things and included. I was never in doubt that if I needed help, there were plenty of willing hands and hearts to assist.
Thanks to you, I have a large and diverse family on three continents. I love them and am thankful for them every day. And they are thankful to you and showed it this past week. We gave you a grand toast and celebrated your life in the finest of styles. Even your Chili’s friends joined us to celebrate.
You changed the world for us, Bill. For all of us. There are so many good memories, and there are no bad ones. I will cherish those memories and regret only that we won’t be making any more together. Bon Voyage.

From Bernadette (part 2)

We were worried about him when mom died. But he wasn’t one to wallow. He just got on with it. He found a new gang to hang out with. His chili’s pals. He loved you guys. Honestly it was a bit annoying. But thank you. Thank you for your warmth and kindness. It made the past seven years so much fuller for him.
My parents’ love for one another was epic. Mom had dad hook, line and sinker. She was a force of nature. She could be as cheerful as a sunny day or she could erupt like Mount Vesuvius. She was complicated before it was fashionable, she was infuriating, she was funny, she was fun! She could make me so mad and I miss her every day. My mother died on the 3 Jan 2013, and despite mom’s two-year battle with cancer, we were still caught off guard by her death. 
My mother had the opportunity to call her five daughters to say goodbye. I cannot imagine the strength of character it takes to make five separate calls like that. To say, “Today I’m going to die and I love you. “I don’t know how she did it - my mom didn’t suffer a rash well. “What could it be” she would say. Once, in exasperation, I asked her how she managed to give birth five times. Her response was “well it’s joyful and you get a beautiful baby out of it”.
My parents’ super power was their love for one another, their faith, and their commitment to family. They gave us girls a good life. They gave me my four best friends and an opportunity to travel the world. We had family on both sides of the Atlantic and we always had each other. My parents were in love for more than fifty years, in good times and bad, through sickness and health. They raised five strong-willed daughters who look out for each other. They had nine handsome grandsons and three beautiful grand-daughters, who count themselves as friends. 

From Bernadette (part 1)
My father did not want to be here today. He loved his life. He was not ready to die. A month ago, he refused to admit he was even tired. Probably right now, in heaven, he is arguing with St Peter. “What the heck. I was fine. Don’t tell me what I can’t do,” As the poet Dylan Thomas implored, he did not go gentle into that good night, but rather raged against the dying light. 
At the age of four score and almost four, he was as curious and energetic as a child. Every day was an opportunity to dig in the dirt, work on a project, meet people, call his gardening show, or go somewhere he had never been. He applied for that one-way trip to Mars a few years ago, “Mars One” and was genuinely disappointed when he wasn’t selected. He would have been an asset too. He could grow or fix anything. They are going to need that kind of ingenuity in space. 
In our home, appliances were never replaced, furniture could be recovered, automobiles fixed, food and flowers grown. If you are married to one of his daughters, I assure you. You have been compared unfavorably in that regard!
My father loved to drive, to hit the road. He took the old highways. The scenic route. The path less traveled, and that made all the difference. This became a point of contention when his daughters decided he was becoming a hazard on the road! He was so stubborn, but we admired his zest for life. He went on several epic road trips alone, including getting lost in Kentucky for a few days (although he didn’t consider that being lost). He bought some bourbon, had a few good meals, and visited Noah’s ark. It was because of his wanderlust we downloaded the phone app, life 360. It was a compromise, because we were worried he would fall off the edge of the world or drive into the Grand Canyon. He didn’t.


From Bernadette (final piece)
My father spent his last day on earth surrounded by his five daughters. Singing, laughing, crying and praying, and then he joined his greatest love in heaven. We should all be so blessed at the end of our time on earth. 
My parents are together again, and for that we should celebrate through our tears. I would like to thank everyone here for being a part of their journey. Please embrace 2020, and the rest of your days, with the enthusiasm of my father and do not go gentle into that good night.


Uncle Bill...thank you for coming to Missouri to see us! It will never be forgotten! We’re so happy to share you with the others at Lulus. They all enjoyed your presence and stories. And not to mention our dance in Dallas! Give Auntie and my mother and dad a hug and kiss! 
XXOO 

Uncle Bill,
You were a hero to me and Louise when we grew up. We loved visiting you in Germany and hearing about your life of adventure. You introduced us to all these exciting goods, toys and foods. You carried me around endlessly on your shoulders, making me bigger than the giants. 
Later, your trips over to England were also filled with fun, laughter, and often beer. (How many stories to tell....!)
I last saw you with Julie and Joe when you took us to your favourite restaurant. It was great to see you again. 
Now, you get to see Auntie Winnie again, and be happy forever. 
Love you lots,
Danny and Louise. 

Bill and Winnie and I were next-door neighbors for about 11 years.  I couldn't have asked for better neighbors.  I always felt so safe with them next door.  I remember the look of sheer delight on Bill's face one day when he was holding his first grandchild and thinking what a wonderful grandfather he was going to make.  I also remember him puttering around tending to his garden on any given day, but what I remember most was his kindness, like the time he taught my son how to tie his first tie.  Winnie was just as kind.  I remember the time she invited my son and I over for a proper home cooked English meal just before my son moved out to get married, or the many times she left a jug of water and some cups out for the crew cutting the grass.   When I eventually bought a home, Bill and Winnie did too, saying the only reason they'd lived there as long as they did was because we were there.  I will miss Bill and Winnie, but I'm so glad they're together again.  

Teri M.
San Antonio, TX

Mr Bill was always so welcoming to my sister and I when we became friends with his youngest daughter, Catherine. He always had a smile on his face and loved his family. He will be missed!!

Remembering with much love affection a wonderful uncle, he made us so welcome when we visited him and wyn, sorry we never got to see you again, but we will always have our memories and they will remain with us always❤


Good son;  caring brother to Louise, Rollin, Dottie, Mike & Meg; loving husband, father & grandpa; and proud American...a great man.
The week of Dec. 8th,’19, so special for me...in essence a gift...Bill graciously accepting my help; gradually changing his reply, when I said I love you, from “a gruff mumble, to that’s nice & finally to I love you too”.

He often replied to a how are you by saying “Taking up my allotted space”. And to the frequent statements of you were lost again, by saying “ I wasn’t lost. I just took the long way around.”

So grateful for the times I was in your path of long road trips & for you letting me share your allotted space.  It’s my turn to say “ I love you, too”. Meg





The first time I met my Great Uncle Bill was at my wedding! He was on the dance floor dancing with the best of them and loving every second of it! He chatted with me briefly and knew exactly who my grandparents were. It had me in tears because he was the only person there from their generation that remembered them. He was an absolutely lovely person and I’m so thankful I was able to see him! And now, he’s  dancing again in heaven. 

As a young impressionable fourteen year old, I loved  seeing how Mr. MacRae spoiled Winnie. He served her and put her first!! I knew then I wanted this type of man and happy to report I found one. Thank you Mr. MacRae!! You will be missed. 

In the early 90’s we had Thanksgiving together with Bernadette’s Mom and Dad.  He was so sweet!  He taught me how to carve the Turkey!  We would go outside and have a cigarette breaks and chat about the old days in the military.  Rest In Peace.  💐

OBITUARY

William Frank MacRae

January 18, 1936 – December 15, 2019

Sunset Northwest Funeral Home

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