A Father honors his Good Samaritan Son on Father’s Day

By Larry Peterson

His name was Billy

                This is about a guy who lived in Pinellas Park, Florida. His name was Billy. He was a man filled with great empathy, intuition, faith, and love for family, friends, and humanity. He was like a son to a 90-year-old neighbor who lived alone and had no one. Her name was Mae, and Billy looked after her virtually every day for almost five years until her passing. He took her for her doctor visits, cooked her dinner, did her food shopping, and ensured she had her meds. Ironically, Mae constantly complained, and Billy would laugh it off.

            Throughout his life, Billy saved many, including strangers, loved ones, and anyone who crossed his path and was in need. Most of the time, the saving was accomplished by giving a helping hand and extending friendship. Powerful tools they were.

 “Are you all right?”

            On the morning of the last day of his life, Billy helped a young girl at a local convenient store. It was around 11 a.m. when he pulled in to grab a coffee. He noticed a young girl sitting on the ground with her back against the brick wall. She was eating a sandwich. A man stood beside her and, with lowered head, was talking to her. She seemed to be shaking her head back and forth.. Billy’s instincts erupted. He knew this was not right. The man walked into the store, and Billy stepped from his car, walked over to her, and asked, “Are you all right?” 

            Tears dripped from her eyes, and she answered, “No, I’m not.” Billy told her, “The passenger door to my car is unlocked. If you are not safe and want to leave, get in the car, and I will take you wherever you need to go.” 

 He took her home

             She did, and Billy took her home to her house in Seminole, about a half hour away.. Her mom and sister came running out, crying and yelling. They had not heard from her in two days and were frantic. The girl, 16 years old, had gotten mixed up with the wrong crowd. They took her phone, and she had become their prisoner. She did not even know it. She may never have been seen again if it was not for Billy

             Billy was born in New York City on December 12, 1971, He was my son, and he died suddenly on July 6, 2022. He was 50 years old. Billy passed from severe Chronic Cardiovascular Disease. A diabetic and lupus patient, doctors never picked up on it. Go figure. The fact is that does not matter anymore.

              Billy graduated from Gibbs High School in St. Petersburg, FL, in 1990. That year he was voted onto the Pinellas County All-Conference Baseball team as the third baseman. He also played college ball at Seminole Community up in Sanford. He became a security installation technician, but his career was cut short by a job accident.

              Billy’s full name was William Anthony Peterson. He had a brother, Larry, and a sister, Mary. His mom, Loretta, and a baby sister, Theresa, pre-deceased him. He had three nephews, three nieces, and 23 cousins. His passing left a gaping hole in many hearts, including mine. Billy was my son.

 He would help anyone, anytime, anywhere

            One final thought about Billy Peterson: We all know the parable of the Good Samaritan. That Gospel reading is from St. Luke, 10: 25-37. We are all asked, “Who is our neighbor?” Well, for Billy Peterson, everyone was his neighbor. If he saw someone who needed help, he would help however he could. , He would help anyone in need. It did not matter who you were, what color you were, what language you spoke, or what you looked like. He tried his best to see the face of Jesus in everyone.

            Billy Peterson lived the Gospel as Jesus taught. He was indeed, a GOOD SAMARITAN. Father’s Day has a big hole in it for some fathers, including Billy’s dad.

Copyright©Larry Peterson 2023.