A Life of Faithfulness | Bill F. Weir
Spending his final days being cared for in a center across from Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, OK, Bill F. Weir passed away on Thursday, November 5th, 2020. Bill was my wife’s grandpa and ‘Grandpa’ is exactly what we knew him as.
My mom’s father passed away when I was very young and my dad’s father passed away when I was 16 years old. I loved them both greatly. Having known Bill for the last 18 years of my life, and having the joy and privilege to marry into the family, I considered Bill to be Grandpa to me as well.
As I think about not only his passing, but also of his glorious home going to see Jesus face to face, I am reminded of the life that Grandpa lived. He leaves behind such a great example and legacy for his family, friends, and those closest to him.
Always be ready to give thanks and sing praises to Jesus.
When Sarah and I first started dating, I was quickly introduced to the family gatherings during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season. There was much joy in the Weir home as we ate together, opened gifts together, and enjoyed each other’s company. But, the gathering wouldn’t be complete without one thing.
Before the night would end, Grandpa would say, “Let’s take a moment and go around the room and talk about the things we are thankful for.” Or “Let’s share something God has done in your life in the last year.” So, we would each take a turn sharing.
Then, Grandpa would start singing a hymn… with or without warning. But, we would all join in and sing a hymn of praise to our Lord and Savior, together.
Whether it is Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any day of the year, we should always be ready to give thanks and sing praises to Jesus. Even if the world around us is broken… and it is… Jesus is always worthy of praise. For, He has done great things!
“Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!”
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
“Great is Thy faithfulness, ” Lord, unto me!
One does not retire from serving the Lord.
For many years of his life, Grandpa served in churches as a full-time Minister of Education. By the time I met him, he was already retired from full-time ministry. However, he had clearly not retired from serving the Lord.
There were many days that Grandpa and Grandma would go to the local retirement centers to lead a Bible study. They also picked up the bread for their church’s bread ministry and carried that to the retirement centers or wherever it might be needed. Serving the Lord was not simply a job for Grandpa, it was a reality in his life. Even when he no longer received a paycheck for serving, the serving continued.
This heart, attitude, and mindset of service often go without gratitude. But, Grandpa wasn’t working for the praises of men; Grandpa was working for the glory of the Lord. And we know that today, he stands before the Lord, having heard those words “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
Oh, that we might all serve the Lord until we are physically unable to do so. And even then, that we might continue serving and honoring the Lord in our hearts.
“Serve the Lord with gladness, come before him with joyful songs.” Psalm 100:2
“Do not lack diligence in zeal; be fervent in the Spirit; serve the Lord.” Romans 12:11
Knowing Jesus is the most important thing.
Aside from what I know about Grandpa’s service to the Lord, he was an Oklahoma University and a Chicago Cubs fan. We were thankful that Grandpa got to see the Cubs win the World Series back in 2016. I know he was glad to see it happen as well after faithfully cheering them on throughout his lifetime.
But, yesterday, when Grandpa stood before the Lord, the question was not, “Were you an OU fan? Were you a Cubs fan?” It wasn’t even, “Were you a good person?” The question was, “Do I know you?”
Grandpa did not know Jesus simply because he sang hymns with the family. He didn’t know Jesus because he served in full-time ministry, led Bible studies after retirement, and took bread to those in need. Those are all great and wonderful things. But, they are only a product of the relationship that Grandpa already had with Jesus.
Grandpa knew Jesus because there was a time in his life that he recognized the sin in his own life that separated him from God. And he turned from that sin, turning to Jesus, receiving forgiveness and salvation through Christ’s shed blood for him on the cross. It is because of the grace and mercy of Jesus received by Grandpa on this side of death, that we have the assurance that when he stood before Jesus, the answer to that question, “Do I know you?” was undoubtedly, “Yes!”
Grandpa was an older man when he passed away, but even in his old age, he was a child… a child of the risen Savior.
I can tell you today, that if Grandpa could say one thing to us all it would be, “Make sure you know Jesus!” If you have never made that decision to make Jesus the Lord of your life, Grandpa’s desire today would be that you would turn from your sins, call upon Jesus for salvation, and be saved through the precious blood of Jesus that was shed for you on the cross.
“If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation.” Romans 10:9-10
Friends, family members, to all who knew Bill, and to all who might read this, today confess Jesus as Lord. Today, have the assurance that Grandpa had when he stepped into the presence of Jesus.
We are thankful.
We are thankful for the life that Grandpa lived. We are thankful for the example and the legacy that he leaves behind. But, most importantly, we are thankful that he pointed his family and so many to Jesus. My desire is to take up this torch that Grandpa lays down and to continue serving the Lord until my dying day. I invite you to do the same.
This is a lovely tribute for a life well lived. Love my Weir family.
Bill Weir served as the Minister of Education at my childhood church, Maplewood Baptist Church. He was a man who lived his faith every single day. His daughter Ginny was one of my closest friends and I got to know the family well. Ginny and I roomed together at OBU. Mrs. Weir was a kind person and we shared a lot of happy hours with Rox, Tresa, Ginny, and David. Mr. Weir influenced me in so many ways. He was a friend of mine on Facebook and he would sometimes ask me what I was thankful for or about my relationship with God. He was the best of people and I loved him. Rise in glory, Mr. Weir.