Bill Hull Memorial Service
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Welcome & Prayer
Welcome & Prayer
On behalf of the family, I’d like to welcome you to the celebration of life, and home-going service of Bill Hull.
A loved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, and neighbor.
Today is a special day because we can can be here together, and remember the memories and celebrate Bill’s life.
With that in mind, if you have a phone with you, would you please take a moment to silence it now.
There are so many good memories we have and so many good things we will say about Bill’s life, but first, I want to thank you for coming and showing your support to Sue and the family.
There are many things that make us different, but one thing we have in common is that death is our enemy
Accurate to say that death is the ugliest evil any of us encounter in this life.
Therefore, I am thankful that we have each other, and I am thankful that truth is available to us in our suffering.
Truth is like an anchor that settles us when life is turbulent.
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. (though all of that is true) 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.
This river is like a current in the floodwaters of life that moves us from the middle of trouble to the presence of God.
The Psalmist doesn’t quite understand how God does this, but he is confident only God can do this.
God truly is our only refuge and strength. He is present with his people and delivers His people to the city of God through even the floodwaters of death.
Prayer (Steve)
Prayer (Steve)
Obituary (Steve)
Obituary (Steve)
William (Bill) Cecil Hull, 79, of Bloomington, IN, was called home to the Lord on February 28, 2025, in the arms of his wife of 59 years and surrounded by his family.
Born on March 21, 1945, in Indianapolis, IN to Robert L. and Geneva H. (Robinson) Hull, Bill grew up in Mooresville, IN with two brothers. He graduated from Mooresville High School in 1963 and from the University of Indianapolis in 1979. In 1965 he married the love of his life, Carolyn Sue (Settles) Hull. Together they had two children, three grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He retired in 1986 from Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield in Indianapolis, where he was an Accounts Receivable Systems Analyst and supervisor. He is a former member of Mt. Gilead Church in Mooresville, IN and a current member of Lifeway Baptist Church in Ellettsville, IN.
Bill's life was centered around the things he loved the most: his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, his church, his faith, his friends and charities. He was a kind and generous soul and helping others was an important part of his life. He generously supported his church, his church family and anyone he saw who was in need. Having survived Polio as a toddler, he considered himself a Riley kid. He enjoyed contributing to Ronald McDonald House at Riley Hospital for Children and to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. If someone was in need and he was unable to contribute financially, he contributed his time in any way he could and was a master at organizing fundraisers to support others. He enjoyed camping, traveling, watching sports, playing cards and gardening. In spite of his disability from Polio, in his younger years he enjoyed playing with his children and playing basketball, softball, and horseshoes. In his later years when he was no longer able to walk, he so enjoyed spending time on his lawn mower that after finishing his own lawn, he would go on to cut his neighbors' lawns as well.
Bill is survived by his wife, Carolyn Sue (Settles) Hull; one son, Michael William Hull of Rockton, IL; one daughter, Christina Sue (Keith) Coffey of Ellettsville, IN; three grandsons, Brandon Keith Coffey of Ellettsville, IN, William Michael (Sydnie) Hull of Machesney Park, IL and Matthew Wilson Hull of Roscoe, IL; five great grandchildren; and one brother, Michael E. Hull of Camby, IN. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Robert L. Hull, Jr.
Eulogy and Tributes
Eulogy and Tributes
Somewhere around the age of two and a half, Bill contracted polio and spent many weeks in Riley hospital.
It looks quite a bit different than it does today, but Bill was still proud to be a “Riley Kid”
After several months, his doctor told his parents something I’m sure they were not prepared to hear.
The doctor said, “except by the grace of God, Bill will never walk again.”
I don’t know anything about this doctor, but he must not have understood how determined (or stubborn) Bill was.
The truth of the matter is that the doctor was right.
God was gracious to Bill and he had many years of walking, running, and riding bikes!
Maybe more importantly, though Bill suffered from Polio, Bill wasn’t defined by Polio.
Instead, Bill was defined by words like caring, giving, kind, supportive, resilient, and witty
...and as long as I’ve known Bill, I’ve not heard him complain once about his limitations.
He was always thankful for what he had. (Even when I would visit him in the hospital...he would always say, “I can’t complain, God’s been good to me.”
Bill and Sue have been my neighbors for ten years...
Not everyone wants their neighbors to say something on their behalf
But it’s pretty easy to say kind things about Bill...because he was so kind to others.
When I would walk down and visit with them, I’d always ask how Bill was, but Bill always found a way to ask me to pray for a neighbor.
He was very thoughtful and caring.
Bill was also a giving man - and being in a motorized scooter didn’t limit him
He took delight in serving others.
Much of his summers included mowing neighbors lawns
...onetime I even came home and he was in the front yard, in his scooter, spraying away at my weeds!
Bill was kind - my kids loved to take walks and stop by to see Bill and Sue
The first time we got to really know Bill and Sue, Bill was adamant that we come down with the kids (he didn’t say why...you could tell he was up to something)
When we got there, he had a gift for our kids that was so unique.
It was a Chinese lantern - the kids love them - the first calm night, we sent one off
We actually have one left - the next time we have a calm night Sue, we will come down and send it off
Bill was witty - I don’t think there was ever a conversation I had with him where he didn’t say something unexpected and funny.
I came to understand that, that’s just how Bill was.
Bill was resilient - I have visted Bill at home quite a bit, but I’ve been in quite a few hospital rooms with him too.
He had gone through so much throughout his life (especially in the last 10 years)
But I want to remind you that I have never one heard him complain.
He was always thankful and optimistic.
Poem from Family
Poem from Family
There is a poem I’d like to share with you - it captures a bit of Bill’s resilience and it reminds us that this life is not our final home...
God saw he was getting tired
And a cure was not to be,
So He put His arms around him
And whispered, “Come with Me.”
With tearful eyes we watched him suffer
And saw him face away.
Although we loved him dearly,
We could not make him stay.
A golden heart stopped beating,
Hard working hands to rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us
He only takes the best.
Bill truly was a generous man.
He loved his family and he loved people.
Cris’ Tribute
Cris’ Tribute
It’s short, but it says a lot!
“I grew up watching what love was. I saw how my dad an mom loved one another and treated one another. Watching them love each other taught me what love looks like, taught me how to use my heart, and how to love.”
What a wonderful legacy Bill has left for us all
Message
Message
Bill’s grandson Matthew wrote this poem...
“We’ll hear you in the wind.
We’ll see you in the snow - in our hearts you’ll remain within us
This we’ll always know.”
What a beautiful way to capture the memories we have and will hold on to.
Bill was a kind man and we will miss him - but he was more than just kind.
Because Bill’s faith was in Christ, Scripture calls him a saint.
Not because of how nice and kind he was, but because he came to faith in Christ.
15 Precious in the sight of the Lord Is the death of his saints.
Death is hard and we will grieve, but saints - those who are in Christ grieve differently.
We grieve differently because we have a living hope that reminds us that death does not have the final word.
One of the most known and loved passages in the Bible is Psalm 23
It is so well known and loved because:
It doesn’t ignore the hardships of life.
It speaks openly about one of our greatest fears — death.
This Psalm is also loved because It offers a real hope.
Even in the context of death, Psalm 23 provides us with an answer and solution for our suffering.
I would like to read this short Psalm and make three shorter observations that I believe will comfort your heart and bring you joy.
Today I have the privilege of reading this passage from Bill’s mother’s Bible.
Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
1. The first observation (and comfort) is that God is a personal shepherd - “the Lord is my shepherd”
1. The first observation (and comfort) is that God is a personal shepherd - “the Lord is my shepherd”
David was a shepherd himself and he understood that sheep were’t OK on their own.
When he took ownership of sheep, he was committed to them.
He loved them
He led them to food and water
He protected them from every danger
David understood that this shepherding nature mirrored the nature of God
God is personal
He’s not a force or just a power
Instead, David had experienced the personal love and provision God had shown him.
God is personal...
He enters into relationship with people
And He is faithfully and relentlessly commited to them
John 10:14 Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me,”
Like David, Bill understood that in Christ he had a personal shepherd that loved him, provided for him, and protected him.
Sue made a point to remind me this week that years ago, while living in Mooresville, there was a Christian church that was “moving in” down the road
Bill made the comment that “God’s getting closer to me”
In a very real way, God used this to draw Bill into a personal relationship with Him.
Not much later, Bill put his faith in Christ and become one of God’s sheep. (God is a personal shepherd)
2. Second, the comfort this Psalm brings is knowing that God is always present with his sheep - even through death.
2. Second, the comfort this Psalm brings is knowing that God is always present with his sheep - even through death.
One of the most well known parts of this Psalm is verse 4, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me
Today is a hard day, but without the truth that God is present with his people, a day like today would be more than we could bear...
But because Jesus knows Bill, and Bill came to know Jesus, we have all the confidence that Bill is present with his Shepherd.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
The imagery of this verse is extremely powerful.
It pictures us on the path of life. A path that is getting deeper and deeper into the valley of death.
The further we get down this path, the greater the shadow of the valley becomes.
(gut wrenching) there’s nothing we can do to escape this reality.
BUT - The Shepherds presence with his people removes all fear - even fear of death.
So (the question I have ) is how can the Shepherd’s presence with us cast out fear in the presence of death?
Again, John 10:14 is so helpful. It reminds us that the great shepherd of our soul is Jesus Christ.
Who is Jesus? — 2000 years ago, Jesus (God in the flesh) was crucified and placed into a grave…
2000 years later, we are celebrating Bill’s life, but of all the things I must say today, it has to be this...
After Jesus was placed into a grave, Jesus defeated death and conquered the grave.
This is why he can be present with us today...
This is how it’s possible that he can walk with his sheep through the valley of the shadow of death.
Because He has walked this road ahead of you and provided a way through the grave to eternal life.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Friends, Jesus truly defeated death so that we could have eternal life.
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Because Bill had a personal relationship with Christ, Bill is present with Christ today.
He has left the land of the dying and is in the land of the living.
He is present with Christ in the city of God where there is no cancer, no polio, and no wheelchairs!
Like Bill, maybe the Lord is using this to draw you into a relationship with Him where He is will be present with you through the valley of the shadow of death.
3. Finally, the last comfort I can show you is that there is eternity on the other side of the grave.
3. Finally, the last comfort I can show you is that there is eternity on the other side of the grave.
The last verse of Psalm 23:6
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
David knew that death wasn’t the end.
He knew that since God was personal and present, the grave couldn’t have the final word.
And though he walked the valley of death, he saw eternity beyond the shadow and he knew the only one who could do this was God.
Bill was a generous and kind man.
A man we will all miss deeply.
I can assure you that because Bill’s faith was in the Lord Jesus Christ, he is more alive today than ever before.
For the believer, death is not the end.
It is hard, but it is the gateway to everlasting joy and fullness of life.
Friends, today Bill is with his Savior and for him, there is no more suffering - no more dying. Just everlasting life.
But Bill’s kindness didn’t earn this from God.
Psalm 23 helps us understand that we are dependent on Jesus for this hope.
The good news of the Gospel is that Jesus has done for us what we cannot do for ourselves.
Everlasting life is not something we can achieve, because it’s something that we’re given.
Faith in Christ is how we receive this gift.
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
Bill loved his Shepherd
His faith was in the Lord Jesus Christ and now he is in the full presence of the Lord.
Before we close, I wanted to play the video clip you’ve probably now seen on the picture slideshow. It’s of Bill playing basketball.
There are two reasons I want to play this video.
Because it is a sweet memory of Bill when he was mobile.
Because God understands the brokenness of this world has has made a promise to one day restore it all, in and through Christ.
1 The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; 2 it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God. 3 Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. 4 Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance (on those who do not trust in him and hate you, but for those who love him), He will come and save you.” 5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; 6 then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.
It’s promises like this that remind us that even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, God has a redemptive plan to make all things new.
There is none like our God!
He has given His Son so that those who come to faith in Him will have everlasting life, with their Shepherd, in His presence, forevermore.
Play Video of Bill Playing Basketball
Play Video of Bill Playing Basketball
Prayer
Prayer
Dear God,
Your word gives us so much hope. I pray that you would comfort this family in their time of need and suffering.
Closing Song - I Can Only Imagine (Rebecca)
Closing Song - I Can Only Imagine (Rebecca)
At this time Rebecca is going to sing the song, “I Can Only Imagine”
At the end of the song, the service will be concluded.
