William Karnezis Obituary

I am lost for words... it must be 3 months now that Vasili has passed and I just found out today (8/27/06). I felt my hair raising, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I am so sorry not to have known so I can be there to say "goodbye" and to give some comfort to my friend Maria. I happened to have known Vasili from so many years ago (1974), but life has drifted us apart. I was only 19 when I met him and like every teenager thought he was the love of my life. I guess he was then... but life took us in different directions. Hadn't talked to him for years nor seen him and out of the blue had to consult him on a legal issue back in April '06. He never said anything to me about his illness, but he called me an "old flame" I guess we both felt that way back then. He was a wonderful person to have known and shared many days and fun times with him. I remember the times we were driving around in his dad's 98 Olds... oh my God!!! I always remeber him fondly and always will. May he rest in peace and he will be in my prayers. I know he will be missed by all those that knew him and myself. Kalo taxidi Vasilaki mu. Lemonia

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Dear Bill,

You were a great bowler, golfer, and an all around great Ahepan. You will be missed by your AHEPA brothers and Daughters of Penelope sisters. You are forever in our hearts.

To our Dear Friend Bill,

We had many good times together. Your generosity wil always be appreciated. May God help you find peace. We will miss

you.



Don, Barbara and Family

My heartfelt sympathy to Bill's family. I have sweet memories of you all as young teenagers and me,not much older, marrying into your family. May your own precious memories help to make this difficult time less painful. With love and prayers, Christine Oxendine

Looking back, we meet many people in our lives. Out of the thousands of people we meet we only have a couple close friends. Although Bill and I weren’t as close in latter years, we went back over 40 years and we went through quite a bit when we were growing up and there was a bond you don’t lose that actually becomes stronger as time goes by I remember Bill had a hot dog cart that he stored in my parent’s garage when we were in high school. I would help Bill push it sometimes and hang out with him. One night Bill said he would be right back. He went away and left me with the cart - for four hours. All night long girls were coming to buy hot dogs asking where Bill was. Bill and I were as opposite as you could possibly be. Bill was extemporaneous and did things he wanted to do. I thought quite a bit before I did things and then would think about doing things Bill already did.

One day I told Bill I had passes to buy clothes at Hart Schaffner and Marx for a sale only for Vice Presidents but we have to be there at 5:00 pm otherwise we can’t get in. Bill told me that I’ll pick you up at 4:30. Bill- this is downtown we will never make it, and there is traffic downtown at 5:00 and no parking. Don’t worry about it I’ll pick you up at 4:30. Well he picked me up 4:45 and we made it to the front door at 5:00. Bill where are we going to park? We are in the middle lane of Monroe Street downtown at 5:00, bumper to bumper traffic, and Bill said ok get out. Do you want me wait at the door? No I’m getting out too. What about the car? Don’t worry about it. Well we both bought a couple thousand dollars of clothes for about $100 and I was thinking there is no way we could carry all these clothes back, surely the car wouldn’t be there. To my shock, not only was it there, there was no ticket. Well Bill to glitosame touti fora but what were you thinking when you left the car in the middle lane. Look, I paid $10 for the car and we just bought a few thousand dollars of clothes for nothing. There was a logic to most of things he did even if it wasn’t apparent.

Well, Bill wore the suede sports jacket to class on Monday. Bill what are doing? That’s a $500 jacket Why are wearing it to class? Don’t worry, we’ll buy another one next year. Well my jacket was too good to wear anywhere and it is still hanging in the closet waiting for my nephew to grow up. Every time I see it, I think of Bill enjoying his jacket everyday while mine is still waiting for tomorrow.

Bill and I had to study for a final, and he came by my parent’s house to study. Bill came by and he must have gotten at least ten calls at my parent’s house from ten different girls. By the end of the week I was sure that Bill knew the material and would do well. The exam was at 8:00 a m and no sign of Bill. .Well 8:30, 9:00, 10:00 and still no Bill. I actually became quite worried because I knew he knew the material so something must have happened. I called for a week and there was no answer. Finally he answered after a week. Bill what happened? Well I took off for Florida. I couldn’t make up my mind with these girls so I took them to Florida. What about the final? Well I talked to the professor and she will let me take it next week. Bill – etrelathikes? No, I know the material and I’m taking the test next week. No Bill, etrelathikes for not asking me to come along.

Everyone has an image in their mind of everyone they know, an ekona of every person. I will tell you mine of Bill. Bill would always come late to class and the teacher would stop and give him a dirty look every day. I would ask Bill, ok which one were you talking to this time? He wouldn’t say anything but would just smile. Well one day I was late myself and I happened to be walking behind Bill. Bill was with a new girl. He was pushing a girl in a wheelchair to class. Back then the buildings were not made for handicapped people. He picked her up and carried her to the second floor – every day, and I brought the chair up. I don’t remember what she looked like. I do remember she had the biggest smile I ever saw kai kamarone when the best looking guy in school was carrying her to class. Bill how do you know her? I don’t, I just saw that she needed help.

Bill lived each day - if he would talk to us now he would say why are you crying, we are all going to die, it was my turn - by the way, do you know if they allow gomenes up here?

Eonia oi mimni tou

When you share yourself without worry, fear or apprehension, you achieve immortality. You will always touch the inside of someone and they will pass that on. God bless Bill and all who knew him. Rest in ease and comfort for all he gave and all that will be passed on by those who were fortunate enought to have known him. DG.

Good-bye friend. I hope you are in a better place.

To Bill, a helpful friend to those in need, God bless you and give you peace.