William "Bill" Tetley

Bill was a very special person and friend. He was a man who honored God with his life in many ways. He was always thoughtful at square dances regarding the ladies who did not have a regular partner. He assessed the situation at the beginning of every dance and, to the best of his ability, made sure that every one of them enjoyed a dance. He was faithful to any responsibility that was his to fulfil in his club memberships and board positions and executed each to the best of his ability.

I had the privilege of being a regular square and round dance partner of Bill's in recent years and I learned a great deal from his dancing experience. More than that, it was a great pleasure to dance with him because he danced so well and he added just enough of his own style to make it fun and, sometimes, challenging. I am so glad that during one of the last dances that we shared, a beautiful waltz, I told him how very much that I enjoyed dancing with him!

Our 2011 fall trip to a dance camp in Colorado and the following week exploring was a wonderful experience. Having spent summers conducting jeep tours, his knowledge of the area via jeep exploration greatly enhanced the vacation.

I know that his family will miss him greatly as well as his many friends in the square dancing community. I am one of those who will miss him very much.

May Bill's family find peace knowing that he is with the Lord and that he enjoyed a rich and rewarding life and was a blessing to many,
Mary Ann Harris

Bill was a very special friend to my mother, Nickie Grimes. He met her at square dancing and was so kind to come and pick her up to go to the dances, along with several other ladies. He made the effort to come and visit her in the hospital a year ago when she suddenly got ill and passed away. It meant a lot to her that he came. He will be rewarded for his kindness, and I wanted his family to know how much it was appreciated.

Mr. Tetley was a great person,coach & motivator. He was the very first coach in this area, probably the state that coached gymnastics. As a member of his Langham Tumbling Team, we not only learned how to do flips, handstands,headstands flip-flops, etc. but were taught alot of life lessons also. Mr. Tetley will be greatly missed.

There are many sweet memories of my friend, Bill. One of the favorite is him teaching me about his special hard tack candy.

I will miss Bill's antics on the dance floor, he always livened the square up when we square danced and made sure all of us single women got to dance. He was a true friend to all and served wherever he could. He will be missed by me and countless others. I am thankful for my association with him over the last 10 years. Prayers continue for his family.

Bill and I were active members of the Newman Club in the 1960's......he was a good friend....RIP

Bill, Your spoken final words are so you. For the brief years that I had the previlege to know you I learned from you. The boys you taught were not the only students you had. Through your life you shared so many things. I will remember your laughter and your smiles. You shared your love of the nature and history around you. You were a friend to so many and will be missed so. You left a mark on our lives. Thank-you, Bill .

Bill’s Last Goodbye
Written in Bill’s voice by Birma Castle

I was ready to go, but was not anxious to depart, I guess God was ready for me before I was ready to join Him.

There are a few things that I didn’t get to say
that I would have said had I known in time

My life has been a fulfilling journey,
for the most part a joyous one.
I was blessed with parents who taught my sister and me Christian values.
Values that have sustained us all our lives.
For that I am grateful.

I was fortunate to have a good education and was able to teach teens
and young adults the math that I loved
I could not have asked for a better vocation.

I am thankful for the friends I enjoyed square and
round dancing with for nearly fifty years of my life.
Dancing four nights a week helped keep me in shape

My Sierra Club friends showed me the same devotion and we enjoyed wonderful trips.
I am grateful for that.

I moved around a bit in my teaching career and have been blessed to have good neighbors wherever I lived, and my Catholic Communion connected me to God

My nieces and nephew were the kids I never had, and they gave me the love and devotion that many men would envy.
I am so grateful for that.

I forgive the ones who made the medical mishap
that caused my downhill spiral and eventually ended my life.
I chose to live with hope for the future
and hope has no room for un-forgiveness.

If I could, I would tell those who loved me;
to miss me, yes, but know that I loved you all in return,
and would not want you to mourn too long.

Remember me for all the good times we shared.
And for every time I corrected you,
It was to help you do it better,
The way I thought it should be done.

My deepest sympathy is extended to Bill's family. I knew him when we were in High School at SAHS,and he was such a really nice guy. So sorry to hear of his passing.

Dear Ann, I am so sorry to read about Bill's death. The smile in his picture is just like the one I remember from so very long ago. I think of you every leap year and that reminds me of Bill also. Love and peace and may his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed rest in His Peace.