I like it, you call me on my birthday!

Hi! You member me, Billy? Today is January twenty-eighth, my birthday. I be 58 years old!

Now is after Christmas, I get to talk ‘bout my birthday.

You stop cryin’ now, I’m okay. I am a happy man, got a good life. I go to heaven, see God, God tell me, “Billy, you did a good, good job, take care your Mom, work hard, make everybody happy. You be so, so happy here. Got you a nice, big room, got pictures Marilyn Monroe, got big screen TV, got a lotta dividees, play on that dividee player.”

God tell me, “Billy, you did a great job, now you just relax. Less go MEET Marilyn Monroe—you like that? An I said yes, I like that, and John Denver, too, and God tell me, “Okay, John Denver, too. And we go see your Dad, too. Your Dad pisso proud of you, Billy. You be Dr. Billy here, you like that?”

I tell my new friends my name William Robert Schulz. You call me Billy. You call me Dr. Billy, you like that. What you like, me call you? You gotta dog? I did have a dog, name is Friend, Friend is big German shepherd. She is so friendly. She lick my hand, sit by me, watch TV. I like that. But now Friend died, long, long time ago. I find her soon. You find her, you let me know where she is, tell Friend come find me. That’s a good idea.

Mom, my sister promise do that laundry for you. My brother promise you be okay without me, I not need to stay, take kevva you any more. My brother-law promise take that garbage out, I not gotta do that any more. I gon’ to like it here!

I like it, tell everybody you stop cryin’ now, you come see me when you ready. You like it here, too, I promise!

I gotta good idea. Today, you fix that “Billy Schulz January 28” cocktail. You put that crushed ice in a glass, put in  little bit pomegranate juice, then that seltzer water, make little bubbles. You gotta lotta class, you put that little piece of lime on it, my brother like that. My sister-law say that look so pretty. Then you drink it, you say, “Happy Birthday, Billy!”  That way, you not feeget it, ‘bout me, ‘bout my life. You member me. Happy Monday!

Billy Schulz, 56. We are going to miss you.

William Robert Schulz

Kingsport — William Robert “Billy” Schulz, 56, born January 28, 1956, died peacefully on September 2, 2012, after a period of declining health.

Billy was a beloved and influential member of his family, and an ambassador of goodness wherever he went. His cheerfulness and optimism contributed to the communities in which he worked and worshipped.

In April, Billy received his ten-year pin for his work as a bagger at Food City, where he worked at Eastman Road and Colonial Heights branches. He was an active member of First Broad Street United Methodist Church, where he returned their warm welcome to Kingsport by welcoming church members frequently as an usher. He belonged to TeamMates and loved singing at One Thing.

Prior to moving to Kingsport in 2001, Billy worked in Cullowhee, NC, at Western Carolina University’s Hunter Library for 21 years as a security book handler. He was a member of Sylva’s First United Methodist Church, where he was a regular usher for over two decades. Billy graduated from Cullowhee High School in 1977.

Born with Down Syndrome, Billy’s special needs directed the career of his mother, Jane B. Schulz. Billy and Jane inspired thousands of people during their teamwork together, modeling for all how much can be accomplished in life with determination, humor, love, and courage. Jane wrote her memoir, “Grown Man Now,” about her life with Billy, who has been a devoted and generous caretaker to his mother in these later years.

From the Office of the Chancellor, Western Carolina University:
“In recognition of Mr. Schulz’s achievements, service and cultural contributions to the betterment of society, he was scheduled to receive an honorary degree, a Doctor of Humane Letters, from Western Carolina University alongside his mother, Dr. Jane B. Schulz. The award honors Mr. Schulz for not only developing skills, talents and creativity beyond his expectations but also courageously sharing his experiences in presentations at community, university, regional and national events to help dispel negative stereotypes of people who have disabilities and encourage all to seek their full potential. The honor will be bestowed posthumously during WCU’s fall commencement exercises on Dec. 15.”

A music, television and movie buff, Billy created an impressive collection of recordings, and enjoyed discussing these topics and telling jokes. He was a complex and spiritual person; his love and concern for others were boundless. His deep, abiding, and long-lasting relationships with others were inspirational and far-reaching. His loss is keenly felt by Billy’s communities and family. Surviving him are his mother; two brothers, John and Tom Schulz, and his sister Mary de Wit; their spouses, Dekie, Sheila, and Jos; Billy’s nieces, Carrie Schulz and Mary Geitner; and his nephews, Paul (Edna), John Robert (Christine), and Isaac Schulz; and Daniel and Warren de Wit.

A memorial service for Billy will be held at First Broad Street UMC of Kingsport on Saturday, September 8, at 3:00 p.m. with a reception following. Memorial contributions may be made to: The Jane Schulz Scholarship Fund / Western Carolina University / 401 Robinson Admin. Bldg. / Cullowhee, NC 28723; or to the Billy Schulz Memorial Prayer Garden Fund at First Broad Street UMC / 100 E. Church Circle / Kingsport TN 37660.

Happy Sunday! I hope you got a good day, take a nap! Church is so good today.

Okay, my friends said I got to write bout Green Lantern. So here goes. I got tickets from my friends Russ and Joyce, so I get to treat my mom, my sister, and Joe and Savannah, good friends, my sister. I did been to their house inna beach. I like it, my treat!
I got a Diet Coke, drink that I watch that movie. It’s good on a hot day. But it’s cold in the theater.
I like that Green Lantern. It’s better than Green Hornet, but I like that karate.
Ryan Reynolds—what a hunk! Ryan Reynolds is in that movie Proposal, with Sandra Bullock and Betty White. I got that DVD, with Coach in it, too, that’s Craig T. Nelson. It’s a good movie, too. Ryan Reynolds’ girlfriend in the Green Lantern is so pretty. She is gorgeous, like my mom.

Everybody going to like the Green Lantern. I like it when the ring is on. I like it when the ring is off.
You member the Superheroes? Like Superman, Wonder Women, Justice League of America, Batman and Robin, and Aquaman? Long, long time ago? Aquaman was like under water in the ocean. Wonder Woman has a Magic Plane. Lynda Carter plays Diana Prince, take that glasses off and then, that’s Wonder Woman. Lyle Waggoner played Steve Trevor, that’s Wonder Woman’s boss.
Well, Green Lantern, same thing like that. Long, long time ago, is two kids in the comics, boy and a girl, we had to do it together so it works. That’s Superfriends, on Saturday morning TV show. My sister find that old cartoon for me on the internet, touch that ring to the lantern, power up. So here it is. You click on it, you see that cartoon.

Green Lantern powers up his ring from the lantern on the old Saturday cartoon.

Well, Green Lantern got a special ring, cuz he’s so smart and flies high in that jet, all the way up. Name is Hal Jordan. He is so nice. Hal Jordan put on that ring, and THEN, turn into Green Lantern. Got a funky costume, I like it.
And Green Lantern did save all the peoples from that big, big monster. It’s scary. It’s black, with a big mouth, suck the people in. It is made out of fear. It is creepy. Name is Parallax.
And another Green Lantern, got pointy ears like Spock, that’s an evil Green Lantern now, I think so. The professor is weird. I not like that part.
You like to see this movie? I think you like it. I like to see it again, mmm hmm. I think I might buy the DVD comes out. I let you know.

Hi, everybody!  Today is my birthday. I got a good riddle for you. Guess how old I am. Here is a clue: I am an old, old, man.

Okay, guess how old I am?

Now, my brother Tom made me a video for my birthday, and I like it. I think you like it, too. Click on it!

Billy Drives 55

Okay, that’s it for now!

Love,

Billy

My friend, Jonathan, came to visit. We had snow that day!

Jonathan brought Christmas presents for me and my mom. And I had a present for Jonathan and Danielle, too.

I had a good Christmas! My nephews Daniel and Warren were here. My brother Tom and sister in law Sheila were here for a week and we all had a good time. My mom got huge stockings for everybody. Mary put a picture on every one. They were pictures of when we were little. It was so funny!

Mom made my favorite breakfast. Ham biscuits and cheese grits and other stuff. It was so good. Then we all opened our stockings and laughed a lot. I love my family and I love Christmas.

The day after Christmas I had a great surprise. My friend Jonathan came to see me. You member him. We worked together at Food City. Now he lives in Alabama. He stayed all afternoon. We went down to my partment and talked and laughed a lot. Jonathan is my best friend. I miss him a lot. I was so glad to see him. I think he will come back for Easter. I hope so.

My nephew Paul and his wife Edna came for New Year’s. We had a good time with them too. When they left my mom and I went to church. When we came out we had a flat tire. Now the holiday is over.

I hope you had a good Christmas too. And Happy New Year!

Love, Billy

P.S. Now that Christmas is gone, it’s okay for me to talk about my birthday.