A Norvell Note for March 7, 2022
Vol. 26 No. 10
There Is No One Like Bill Alliston
“There is no one like Bill Alliston.” That’s how his daughter described him in the post she shared after his sudden passing. (@amac70) All who knew Bill would agree.
I was a college student at Arkansas State University and involved in the Church of Christ Student Center (now #wolflifecampusministry). Bill and his family were also involved in the ministry. I don’t remember the exact time or circumstances that brought us together, but I soon became a part of the Alliston family. It was and is an abundant gift from God.
Bill (and his family) made an indelible impression as a college student, as I became a part of a group from church that sang for weddings and funerals. I ate meals and spent countless nights in their home (including the night before our wedding). I drank coffee and ate Dixie’s Apple Pie with them. I was in their home when they brought Nathan home. We laughed a lot.
Much of the laughter came because Bill was a great storyteller and could tell jokes as well anyone I’ve ever known. Some were not repeatable. He enjoyed life and wanted others to enjoy it too. I can still hear him laugh after he smacked my head with a brush as he cut my hair. He was a master of sarcasm.
Bill was kind and generous. He loved people and wanted people to love him. I was a recipient of his kindness, generosity, and love. He was intelligent, and it seemed that he liked for people to know it. He was complicated, and I think he enjoyed his complexity.
As often happens, we eventually moved in different directions and followed different paths. As a result, our times together became fewer, and our communications became less. But the love has remained.
The last time I saw Bill, his daughter and son-in-law brought him to hear me preach one Sunday morning. I was honored. As I said goodbye to him that day, I thought I probably would never see him again due to his health issues, distance, and time. I did not. Like others who have passed from this life, he continues to live with gratitude and love in my heart. I am blessed.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7, 13)
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