REFLECTIONS
That silly grin, or a stern expression were two of Billy Noble’s character traits. He had many more, and they could fill up this copy of the Steele County Times.
Oh yes, another character trait was his booming laugh that came all the way from the basement of his voice muscles.
Much has been said already about this 83-year-old man who indeed was an icon of Blooming Prairie. Many forms of adoration were shown Billy at his visitation and at his funeral mass at St. Columbanus Catholic Church.
Not enough words could be used to pay tribute to this great man.
Billy and I were connected by the fact that he attended Magnuson School for a short time, and I attended Magnuson School, too, but not at the same time as Billy, who was my senior. He went to school with my sister Janice.
“I remember your sister,” Billy would volunteer. That’s the way he was, trying to make others feel better by saying he knew their family.
Billy was not into himself. He was into others and sincerely cared about his family and friends.
A twin of Bobby who died 11 years ago, Billy could never fill the void that his passing left, however he spent tons of hours making others feel good. For example, he made regular stops to the Prairie Manor Health Care Center, courtesy of his golf cart or electric wheelchair.
My wife Judy and I got to know Billy and his wife Margaret quite well through Judy’s sister, Cindi Hansen, and her husband Darrell. We partied with them, coming down from the Twin Cities to have some Blooming Prairie fun and excitement.
I’m not the only one who knew this Billy trick, opening a bottle of beer with his teeth.
“How’s the Corning ____?” he would ask me. He knew my roots of living on a small dairy farm on Highway 251, two miles west of Corning.
This man and his bride, Margaret, planted their spirit into their family members and friends by becoming Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. Billy carefully groomed his Santa beard, growing it longer to show the little ones that he had no time to shave, because of his duty to help the elves make toys for the little ones.
We moved to Blooming Prairie eight years ago and are thankful we did because we could become even better friends with Billy, Margaret, and their family.
We learned that Billy was a Super Ambassador for Blooming Prairie. He and Margaret were loyal Minnesota Gopher football fans for many years.
Billy retired from his telephone job at a very young age, 53. He did not stop working. He helped sons Mike and Patrick establish their RV business near Owatonna. He was also a listening ear to the ideas presented by Michelle and Amy.
In his later years, it was his desire to help others forget about their aches and pains. Making regular trips to Prairie Manor was a high priority for Billy.
I totally enjoyed it when I would see him coming down the street. He had time to visit, and visit some more.
Either his golf cart or his electric wheelchair could get him almost anywhere. He would drive it into the Farmers & Merchants Bank, or into Vandal’s. He often motored too far and had to be pulled home by a friend who loaned him a towing rope and volunteered to pull him home.
Billy even got stuck with his wheelchair. Maybe, he was too far out of bounds. He sometimes was seen sneaking from his BP home to the BP golf course, driving his golf cart a bit too far out of bounds.
He even zipped into our house on his scooter from the garage, to pay a visit to Judy’s father Dale Mowers, who was watching TV on the couch.
Billy’s faith was also an extremely high priority for him. He often would share his faith, but he would not over-extend himself in this area.
Billy was a wired man. He stayed connected because of his unbelievable roster of friends. Of course, he had a large family, being one of six siblings, and this family kept him young.
Billy strived to be constantly connected with his family of friends. The phone might ring any time of the day, and it more than likely as Billy, calling to say he loved you. He often called me “Howie.” Only a few people tagged that name on me, Billy, Ed and Shirley (old friends), and some Lions members.
The real warrior next to Billy during Billy’s fight with health issues was Margaret. She was always there for Billy and visited him every day at Prairie Manor. She would also take him on random car rides around Blooming Prairie.
She was his candle that always shined brightly on him.
As I finish this column, I have Billy’s funeral card in front of me on my desk. That smile almost guarantees a teared response. We miss you Billy, but will never forget the impact you had on so many lives including mine.