Help the Senior Family Through This Difficult Time

It is with great sadness that we must share that William J Senior, 71, passed away on November 7, 2024, after a long illness and many difficult years. Bill’s passing has left his family with numerous hardships, and we are asking for your kindness and generosity in any help you can provide.

Prior to the onset of his illness, Bill was a professional watercolor artist and art teacher. He began painting in high school and quickly perfected his technique, exhibiting his work and winning numerous awards. His skill and dedication to his craft led him to teaching and demonstrating at numerous adult level schools and art associations. Bill’s art and teaching career would continue for more than 30 years, during which time he produced stunning works of art and had a tremendously positive impact on the professional and personal lives of countless students and friends.

However, Bill’s dedication to art paled in comparison to his love and dedication to his family. Bill met his wife Barbara when she took one of his classes in 1978. They fell in love and married several years later, and had two wonderful children, Tim and Patty. Bill lived for his family, putting all his time and energy into supporting them and being with them in every situation.

Bill’s life changed drastically in 2008 when he developed a severe neurological illness that left him unable to walk. This sudden and unexpected change had a devastating impact on the Senior family. Bill was no longer able to teach and support the family through his art, and they had to adjust to a new way of life. At this time, Bill’s son, Tim, was in college, studying art history and hoping to pursue a career and several creative ventures. However, upon developing an understanding of the unfortunate and difficult challenges ahead, Tim made the decision upon graduating that he would dedicate his time to helping care for his father and try to work toward rehabilitating and adapting to the limitations Bill now faced.

Nobody could have anticipated the difficulties that lay ahead. Initially the family had hoped that through rehab and treatment, Bill would begin to recover some mobility and independence, however his journey continued to be affected by countless setbacks and new health problems. Each new challenge would knock him down, but he would continue fighting, only to have something else come up. What originally seemed as if it would be several years of work, turned into a full-time commitment from his son Tim, who faithfully always stayed by his side. The neurological issues continued to progress, eventually leading to Bill losing his ability to paint. This tremendous loss led to the development of psychiatric troubles in addition to the physical, as Bill had a hard time adjusting to the reality that the skill he spent his life perfecting would no longer be accessible to him.

Over the years, Bill’s health would continue to decline, with the development of liver and kidney problems, and later the onset of liver cancer. Through all this, Tim selflessly and tirelessly remained dedicated to his father, making his time as fulfilling and comfortable as possible despite the challenges he faced. Tim put every aspect of his life on hold, with his primary focus being his care for his father. It was an act that all who heard of would commend with the highest praise and regard. Throughout the 16 years that Tim remained dedicated to his father’s care, he received nothing more than a modest state funded salary for acting as his father’s at home Personal Care Assistant.

When Bill passed, it left a hole in the lives of his family and friends that can never be filled and it was especially hard on Tim, who had been with his father constantly for most of his adult life. Upon Bill’s passing, the family’s income has ceased, and they now face an uncertain future with the overwhelming concern of the financial difficulties of funeral expenses and adjusting to life without him. We are humbly asking for any help you may be able to provide, and we greatly appreciate your care and kindness.

May Bill Rest in Peace and may his memory live on in those who knew and loved him.