Rest in Peace, Jo - Helping Bill Moving Forward

Early Friday morning, March 25, Jo passed away at Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

She and Bill were together 22 years.

When we first met Jo in 2016, it was by voice only.

In that initial interview and video with Arkansas Bill, she called out from their trailer to ask if I had any cigarettes.

In video #2 (2017), we got to meet Jo face-to-face, learn how she and Bill met, and the story of how she had recently beaten cancer with Bill by her side.

In 2020's video (pictured) she and Bill took us through a day in the life of this Arkansas country couple.

Finally, when we returned for video #4 this past fall, Jo was worn from weeks of caring for an ailing Bill. But one last push along with us there got him to the hospital, saving his life from a serious threat of COVID and COPD.

Bill was cared for by Jo this past fall and winter as he battled back to health. Now alone, Bill battles the grief of losing his partner.

"Everywhere I look, she's right there," Bill said to me on the phone yesterday as he looked around their trailer.

With all that is on Bill's heart and mind, we're hoping to remove (or at least lessen) finances as one of his concerns. Anything you can chip in goes a long way to help with expenses associated with Jo's memorial service and with Bill's adjustment to life now that it's just him, their dogs, Newt and Scout, and their donkey, Gus.

Thanks for watching and caring. 

We'll be sure to get back down to see Bill in the not-too-distant future. And in the near future, look for a tribute video to Norma Jo.

-Brandon