Rest in Peace Bill "Epoman" Halcomb

[bolta72]

Great people do great things, and judging by this site, Epoman was one of the greatest.


                                                                                               R.I.P.

[George Jung]

May peace and love be with all who know this man,
May peace and love be with his family always,
and follow them wherever they may be,
Epoman will forever be with us,
I will be forever grateful.
With My caring thoughts -

[RichardMEL]

I never really "knew" epo and have only been on here for a few months... Since November or so.. but what I can say is that this site is a testament to his hard work and vision for a resource (and I am not even including all his other efforts like RenalRomance, KidneyOogle, the shop etc) for kidney sufferers, those that support them (professsionally and personally) and others with a like interest.

The one thing that I took great solace from as a sufferer of ESRD was that Epo, with all the crap he had to contend with, marched on for years and years and had the energy and willpower to work tirelessly on a site like this, which I hope will continue on.

I was surprised and shocked to read of his passing and he will indeed be missed...

[renal30yrs]

My deepest condolences for Epoman's family. Grim reminder of frailty of our existence.

[babi68]

R.I.P.  Epoman. Thanks for helping me in times when I had thought of giving up, and just listening and being there when times were tough.I will miss you. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Goodbye Bill....Liz

[AlasdairUK]

I have been a renal patient for many years and growing up as a teenager I lost a few friends. Although I never meet Epoman, but his sudden loss has effected me as much as some of my close friends that I lost. I feel this is because I felt welcomed to the IHD community from my very first post.

Thank you Mr Halcomb.

[Ken Shelmerdine]

Not looked at the site all week-end. Logged on today and what a terrible shock. I've only been in IHD for about five months but I feel like I've lost a friend. My deepest sympathy and condolences to his family and friends. God Bless Epoman may he rest in peace.

[nextnoel]

I only have a computer at work, so I just learned about Bill's death.  I feel as if I lost a favorite brother.

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to his wonderful family  - he loved you so much, and he's always going to be watching over you, but how painful to not have him there physically with you still.

Bill, Thy rest be this night in peace, amid the Light and folded in.  Love and respect, Noel.

[Deanne]

I am so sad. I'm very new here and was so looking forward to getting to know Epoman. I already looked up to his strength and forthrightness. I'm grateful he left behind a part of himself in his postings.

Deanne

[JerseyGirl]

God Bless him and may God keep him in his care.  He was a wonderful caring person - he really cared about this site and put alot of work and effort into being such a great supporter and educator for not just patients and family members but taught me as a healthcare worker to never forget the patient's prospective.  Goodness I am so sad to hear of him passing.

[meadowlandsnj]

Here is a poem I wrote this morning. I only hope it means as much to the rest of the members here at IHD as it does to me.

Into the day came darkness,

A beginning, to an end,

Red rose petal, turned brown

Calm skies, a storm

Stormy weather, renewed day

New rose, fully bloomed

A new beginning, formed

A friend gone, memory alive

If tears could bring him back,

He’d be standing here today,

Laughing, joking, encouraging.

God called our friend home,

Worthy of being made whole

He now walks with Jesus,

He doesn’t need that chair

All the pain is gone now

It was just too much to bear,

From darkness to light

And a fresh new start

To have that perfect body,

He dreamed about for years

We will pay the price

With all our countless tears.


Rest now, Brother

Sluff

That is a beautiful memorial to him, Sluff.   

Donna

[Rerunsfriend]

This is really RERUN!  My computer is in need of repair and so I ship it off tomorrow and then it will be about 3 weeks. I'm at my friends house. It sucks not being able to talk to anyone on here.  Thank goodness Sluff and Goofynina have kept in touch by phone.  Thank you guys!  I also apologize for not being here for the members in their time of need. 
       
My Cyber-Space Friend

I made a friend in cyber-space
Never met him face to face.

I reached one day and there he was
He said come with me and join my cause.

I followed him to a place called IHD.com
There I found my peace I found my calm.

We had one thing in common... we hated dialysis
We were tired of people saying "we were just being ridiculous."

For 18 months I had my friend
I guess they are right...all good things must come to an end.
I'll miss you my cyber friend.

Love, Rerun

[Hawkeye]

I haven't logged into the site since last Wed. so I am just finding out about this tragedy.  As most people know I am not on dialysis, I am an employee who found this site and wanted to help out with info that may otherwise go unknown.  Even with that said the loss of Bill rips at my heart and brings tears to my eyes.    I only spoke with him once or twice in the chatroom, but through his posts I felt I knew him as if we had been friends for years.  I always felt as if my opinion, information, and advice were valued by Bill.  He even posted that he wished I posted more often.  He will be greatly missed by me and everyone he has touch through this site and in his personal life.  My thoughts go out to his wife and son who will be most devastated by this loss.  Rest In Peace Bill.

[renal1]

This is my first post, although I have been visiting Bill's site for several months.  I am not a renal patient, but an employee in the renal industry.  Although I have been directly working with renal patients for 12 years, I feel this site, with Bill's leadership and guidance, has given me more insight into the real lives and feelings of dialysis patients than anything I have ever experienced.

The news of Bill's passing brought tears to my eyes and a sickening feeling to my heart several times today (including now, as I'm typing).  I pray Trina and Nick realize the power this site has had, especially for kidney disease patients, but also for some of us that are passionate for what we do each and every day to make your lives a little better.

God bless you all.

[Bajanne]

Renal1, we really appreciate your sentiments.  And we look forward to hearing more from you now.  We love it when people working in this area take the time out to see things from the perspective of the patient.
Please go to the Introduce Yourself section and tell us about yourself.

Bajanne, Moderator

[mcjane]

Stunned by the news. So sudden & unexpected, It isn't fair, it just isn't fair.  He was too young & had too much to live for.

God made a mistake by taking Bill.

[husi64]

   

             I was saddened to hear the news of Epomans passing ,my condolences to his wife and son
         Although I am new to this site I know that he will also be sorely missed by his family on the
          IHD site May GOD be with us all at this sad time 

[Rik]

sorry to hear that Bill/Epoman ... has passed on ...
my condolences to his family ...
Rik
:0(

[Hawkeye]

I don't know if any of our admin team has access to the site news that appears on the main screen before log in, but if so shouldn't something like this most definitely make the site news.  I don't know if very many people check it or not.  I just thought I would have a look to try and find info.  If possible I think that the info about Bill's passing and information where people can send flowers or other such things should be included.  Thanks.

[mitchorganbroker]

He was too young to die.
He was a hero in his tme.
We will all miss him
              Miss you Guy

[kitkatz]

All information on Bill's Epoman's funeral and services are included on this site at:

http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=2970.0

Cards and donations and flowers information is at:

http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=2944.0

[Stacy Without An E]

I never had a chance to meet Epoman, but here's what I do know.  When he first invited me to the site, he was very positive about my blog and my postings.  He encouraged me to be part of very important community and when time would go by and I hadn't posted in some time, he would send me a quick message just to check up on me.

That speaks volumes about the kind of guy Epoman was.

His strength and wisdom will continue through the many sites he's created for all of us to share.

God speed Epoman.

[Hawkeye]

All information on Bill's Epoman's funeral and services are included on this site at:

http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=2970.0

Cards and donations and flowers information is at:

http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=2944.0

Thanks for the links.

[Amanda From OZ]

Journey Home
 

My journey starts with a soft voice calling me into the night.
I am lifted up and drawn toward a beautiful light.
I am leaving my family, friends and all other earthly things.
I am like a bird going toward the heavens, trying out my new wings.
But as I soar upward everything becomes so clear.
Special arms are wrapped around me, removing all my fears, and pain.

I am an eagle, climbing high over the pine trees, 
the lakes and the land.
A special love is gently leading me,
taking me by the hand.
I have wings, I go higher into the deep blue of the sky.

I am leaving you all with a heart full of love.
My journey is taking me to a home far away.
That same voice promising I'll see you some day.
But please--do not grieve for me yet,
for my soul and spirit are finally free
I go at peace into eternity..

Rest in peace bill.

[Chicken Little]

I haven't even been able to read this thread until now.  It seemed unreal.  I hoped it was. 

I wish Bill's wife and son all the best and may he rest in peace.