Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2006 7:30 pm
Thoughts and prayers from the Casella Racing Family.
Sad sad sad.
Sad sad sad.
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Clyde, Patch, Iron Pegasus
Page 5 of 68
Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2006 9:55 pm
My thoughts and prayers go out to them Billy
Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2006 3:54 pm
Thank You, everyone, for your thoughts and prayers......
Tim is (for right now) holding up better than I expected......but there are a large number of folks in and out....and he is probably holding it together for everyone else's sake.......I worry about him when things settle down and get back to some sort of normalcy (whatever That is)........I'll give updates as I can....
again....Thanks for the well wishes, etc.
Tim is (for right now) holding up better than I expected......but there are a large number of folks in and out....and he is probably holding it together for everyone else's sake.......I worry about him when things settle down and get back to some sort of normalcy (whatever That is)........I'll give updates as I can....
again....Thanks for the well wishes, etc.
Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2006 9:30 pm
If you need anything, anything, we are here for you guys. Take care bud.
Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2006 12:25 pm
Thank You, Lippy.........
Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2006 8:35 pm
well......its been a trying weekend, to be sure.......
Last night, between 6 and 8 the family was recieving visitors at the funeral home for the viewing and what not.....there were so many people who attended this, that it was after 9 before everyone had cleared out.
I tried my best to help some of Thomas's friends through their sadness, by mentioning that they should just think of some of the stupid and goofy things that he did and just smile at the memory........this quickly lead to out and out laughter in some instances, albeit through tears.
I was the butt of one joke, but it got Tim to laughing so I didn't mind (too much
...)....One of Thomas's best friends asked Tim, How in the world did you get Billy Mac so cleaned up....Did ya get your pressure washer fixed????
During the service....the preacher, who has known Thomas since he was hatched, made the comment that....""even at a year and a half old....Thomas had this impish grin to him that sorta said...."I have a secret about life, but I ain't tellin' "...virtually all of the pictures of him show this without question.......Thomas was also much the jokester.....thinking that it was just funny as all get out to wait until someone had their head under a car hood and then to blow the horn....(at which...most folks would snatch back and smack their head on the hood....).......that is...until Tim broke him from such tactics.......Thomas was all up under the hood of a customer car one afternoon and Tim snuck up beside the car with a pack of fire crackers.....that he lit and threw under the car.....Thomas looked like he was moonwalking on air trying to get away from the ruckus......Thomas was the kind of person who never met a stranger......and judging by this assembly(it was a standing room only crowd, 4 deep in the rear of the chapel and prolly 300 seated) he touched many of you. I noticed that some of you are wearing your motorcycle gear today...and a number of you rode your bikes......Thomas loved his bike....as much as...if not more than life itself. Tim....If my bike would have cranked...I too would have ridden, to be a part of Thomas's Last Ride on this Earth............"
The procession to the interment site was headed by Tim and Sharon, on his new Suzuki Boulevard (right behind the Sheriff's escort and the Hearse) and nearly 30 motorcycles were close behind them......and stretched back almost 4 miles to me and Clyde, who was acting as caboose and blocker...(there were a number of cars and trucks that tried to pass the procession...but I placed Clyde straddle of the centerline to prevent that from happening........I have always wanted to do that....block traffic that way.....Thanks Thomas
)
At the graveside service......a vast majority of those that attended the chapel service were standing around the tent....and the preacher said..."Would all of you who rode your motorcycles, please go to them now and crank them up....and on my signal....rev the engines in tribute to Thomas?"............there was a "slight" hesitation among the bike riders, as they looked to one another and then as tears started flowing (much like they are now as I type this) they headed out to their mounts.......Tim was the first to reach his.....and with tears streaming down his face (as well as mine, as I was standing right next to him and KNEW how hard this was for him) he was also the first to crank up......followed closely by the others.......after just a few seconds....the preacher raised his hand and twirled his finger in the air......and the rev limiter hitting tribute was underway..........it lasted for only about 10 seconds....but was truely an emotional moment, as I noticed virtually everyone in attendance wiping their eyes.........(excuse me while I wipe mine now........)
Sighhhh.......A true shining star has been taken from us....and I am saddened by his passing....but know this.....I too will remember the good times and the happy times and that impish grin on his face......God's Speed, Thomas Christopher West....June 15, 1986-March 22, 2006.
Last night, between 6 and 8 the family was recieving visitors at the funeral home for the viewing and what not.....there were so many people who attended this, that it was after 9 before everyone had cleared out.
I tried my best to help some of Thomas's friends through their sadness, by mentioning that they should just think of some of the stupid and goofy things that he did and just smile at the memory........this quickly lead to out and out laughter in some instances, albeit through tears.
I was the butt of one joke, but it got Tim to laughing so I didn't mind (too much
...)....One of Thomas's best friends asked Tim, How in the world did you get Billy Mac so cleaned up....Did ya get your pressure washer fixed????During the service....the preacher, who has known Thomas since he was hatched, made the comment that....""even at a year and a half old....Thomas had this impish grin to him that sorta said...."I have a secret about life, but I ain't tellin' "...virtually all of the pictures of him show this without question.......Thomas was also much the jokester.....thinking that it was just funny as all get out to wait until someone had their head under a car hood and then to blow the horn....(at which...most folks would snatch back and smack their head on the hood....).......that is...until Tim broke him from such tactics.......Thomas was all up under the hood of a customer car one afternoon and Tim snuck up beside the car with a pack of fire crackers.....that he lit and threw under the car.....Thomas looked like he was moonwalking on air trying to get away from the ruckus......Thomas was the kind of person who never met a stranger......and judging by this assembly(it was a standing room only crowd, 4 deep in the rear of the chapel and prolly 300 seated) he touched many of you. I noticed that some of you are wearing your motorcycle gear today...and a number of you rode your bikes......Thomas loved his bike....as much as...if not more than life itself. Tim....If my bike would have cranked...I too would have ridden, to be a part of Thomas's Last Ride on this Earth............"
The procession to the interment site was headed by Tim and Sharon, on his new Suzuki Boulevard (right behind the Sheriff's escort and the Hearse) and nearly 30 motorcycles were close behind them......and stretched back almost 4 miles to me and Clyde, who was acting as caboose and blocker...(there were a number of cars and trucks that tried to pass the procession...but I placed Clyde straddle of the centerline to prevent that from happening........I have always wanted to do that....block traffic that way.....Thanks Thomas
)At the graveside service......a vast majority of those that attended the chapel service were standing around the tent....and the preacher said..."Would all of you who rode your motorcycles, please go to them now and crank them up....and on my signal....rev the engines in tribute to Thomas?"............there was a "slight" hesitation among the bike riders, as they looked to one another and then as tears started flowing (much like they are now as I type this) they headed out to their mounts.......Tim was the first to reach his.....and with tears streaming down his face (as well as mine, as I was standing right next to him and KNEW how hard this was for him) he was also the first to crank up......followed closely by the others.......after just a few seconds....the preacher raised his hand and twirled his finger in the air......and the rev limiter hitting tribute was underway..........it lasted for only about 10 seconds....but was truely an emotional moment, as I noticed virtually everyone in attendance wiping their eyes.........(excuse me while I wipe mine now........)
Sighhhh.......A true shining star has been taken from us....and I am saddened by his passing....but know this.....I too will remember the good times and the happy times and that impish grin on his face......God's Speed, Thomas Christopher West....June 15, 1986-March 22, 2006.
Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2006 8:52 pm
Prayers go out to the West family. If I fear anything it's the fear of losing 1 of my kids. Very Very sorry for this loss. Take care of yourself Billy.
Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2006 8:55 pm
My God,,,what a compelling story Billy Mac,,,you have done yourself and your friend proud!
I am glad to count you as my friend also, prayers going out for you and Tim and family!
Rip!
I am glad to count you as my friend also, prayers going out for you and Tim and family!
Rip!
Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2006 9:12 pm
Beautifully written but so painful to read. I will pray for peace and closure for the West family and for God to bring Thomas home. Some day, they'll all be together again. Thanks, Billy. WC1