William B. Blease IV was the youngest of 3 brothers. We called him Lil’ Billy since he was named after his father. Till he grew taller, then we just called him Billy. He grew to 6 foot 8 inches! He grew up on 29 acres, with his Pop pop and Nana at the front of the property. He loved animals and often helped his Pop pop with the rabbits, goats, and chickens that he raised. When he was in 5th grade, his assignment was to write a report on something he knew about. Of course the report was on animals, rabbits particularly. Billy ended up with a small farm at our end of the property, raising rabbits, chickens, ducks, turkeys and goats. He also was proficient in growing tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and flowers. As he grew into adulthood he would help the neighbors with their animals. He was always at the local farm auction buying and selling animals and hay. Always helping people load their trucks. He didn’t talk much to people, but start a conversation about animals and he’s talk your ear off. He started working for a local organic farmer. Billy was as good as they come: honest, caring, loyal, and possessed the old-school values of the older generation that he valued so much. His gentleness, generosity, sense of humor, and friendship will be sorely missed. That is why we call him “Our Gentle Giant”. 7/6/1985 – 9/17/2014