View a eulogy for William Fredrick Hecker, USMA '91, who passed away on January 5, 2006.
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William Fredrick Hecker
West Point, 1991
Be Thou At Peace
Posted by Hayden Johnson on May 24, 2013:
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Richelle, COL and Mrs Hecker and Bill's Children - I wanted you to know this memorial day that Bill is still missed far outside of your immediate circle. You remain in my prayers and in those of my family. This memorial day I will share memories of my friend Bill with my children (ages 6 and 8) for the first time, which will start a regular ritual in our house this time of year. I will end it by picking a few of the songs he taught me including Elvis' "Can't help falling in love" (our first dance at my wedding) and, of course, Margaritaville. I appreciate Andrew's memories in the previous post and can only say that I have similar memories that lasted the 3 years we spent traveling and singing together in the Glee Club. Bill seemed to always be in the right place for me. He found / introduced me to a woman who became my ring weekend date and dear friend, helped me at USMA when I learned I'd lost a very close family member while on a Club trip and shared dozens of experiences in between. Despite the deep and continued loss of not having him here, it is impossible to hold back a smile when I talk about him to friends each time I pick up my guitar in the remote reaches of the Texas hill country and reflect on his memory. Also, you should know that Bill's friend and company mate Derrick Wright who was gravely wounded (major brain injury) in the green zone about a year after Bill's death has made a nearly full (and miraculous) recovery. Several of our classmates lunch with him monthly here in Austin and you can read his blog on facebook (called "Small Victories"). Each time we gather to recognize Bill at school as a class, we do so while gripping hands with Derrick who we expected to join Bill. Like your family, Derrick's is a family of warriors and his oldest son just returned from Afghanistan. Thank you again for your tremendous sacrifice. May God hold you and keep you warm in his embrace. Hayden Johnson I-3, '91 |
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