Name: Joseph Gawler's Sons, LLC
Address: Washington, DC

Heartfelt sympathy to you all.  My mom was Norma (Nonnie) Bick, sorority sister with Alta.  They were lifelong friends, and growing up we saw each other several times a year.  My sisters and I have so any memories of Bill and Alta from the entertaining our parents had in Florissant, MO.    Tina (Bick) Vann, Marietta, GA

William Bernard will be sorely missed. Rest in Peace.

Dear Kate, Butch, Liz & Danny, 

It was so sad to hear that your father had passed away recently.  Big Bill was such a great man, in every sense of the word, and I’m sorry for your loss.

Bill was a real-larger-than-life figure who truly had a positive effect on his wonderful family and the thousands and thousands of friends he made over his long and fulfilling life.  

At the Wehrung house, the entire Bernard family holds a very special place in our hearts.  Our families have known each other for almost 40 years and we have a lot in common, including being blessed with wonderful mothers and fathers who loved us unconditionally and were perfect role models for us to live by.

The Wehrungs and Bernards have been together so long that we are like one family.  Unless the Redskins are playing St. Louis, when you are happy, we are happy.  And when you grieve, we grieve.  So our thoughts and prayers are really with you right now.

Few people have had such a profound impact on so many lives as Bill Bernard.  I was fortunate enough to be one of them. He helped to shape my character and make me a better person.  His genuineness and friendliness, his caring and concern, his ability to make people feel welcome, his sense of humor and most importantly his passion for fairness and peace were all trademarks of Bill Bernard.

Those values made him a good man and a terrific father.  But his desire to teach those important qualities to others, in my eyes, that is what makes a good man great.

Imparting those qualities to you and me and all the kids in the neighborhood growing up will be one of Bill Bernard's greatest legacies.  

It is only now that I look back in retrospect and realize how important Bill Bernard truly was in our lives and how grateful we should all be to our Creator for placing Bill with us and for him entrusting us with his sense of fair-play and desire for folks to get along with one another.

Although I often fall short, I try my best to emulate those qualities in my life.  I can only hope that some day, when I have to settle with my maker, I will have been able to do my duty as a human being by living my life as I have been taught by my father and by great men like Bill Bernard and will hand down those important traditions and values to the next generation.

It must be difficult for you to feel the absence of Bill’s presence.  But I hope you can take comfort in the knowledge that Bill is with Alta now and they can both rest in peace knowing they have beautiful sons and daughters in the world who are making a great life for themselves and those around them.  

I believe Bill and Alta’s spirits are with us as they look down from heaven and smile on your success and happiness.  I believe that is what they wanted most out of life: joy for all of you and for all you love. 

My deepest sympathies are with you and my prayers go out for all who loved Bill Bernard as we did.  I pray that our fond memories of him will soon replace the pain we feel in our hearts.  

I do apologize to the entire Bernard family for not being able to attend the service in Washington.  I heard it was a magnificent tribute.  

Take care dear friends and always remember, it's nice to be nice.  I know I will.

Love always,

Johnny Wehrung

PS---If you ever need anything, please don’t hesitate to get in-touch with me or any member of the Wehrung clan.  We got your back.

Kate,Butch,Liz and Dan, Our thoughts and prayers are with you. I'm glad to have been lucky enough to have had your Dad as my uncle.He was always so fun to be around with his great smile and funny stories.He will be greatly missed.Your mom and my parents will be glad to be with him now.Our deepest sympathy.Love Patty,Danielle and Chris Chambers

Dan,  Sorry to hear about your Dad.  Remember the wonderful times.   Our condolences to you and the family.  Love and Prayers to all.  George, Treva, Todd King

Liz, Kate, Butch, Dan  -  Our deepest condolences to you.  You are in our prayers.   Mr. & Mrs. Henry W. Vinson of Washington, DC and Henry Vinson, Jr.

Butch, I am so sorry to here about your Dad, I know you will miss him alot. Just try and remember all the good times you had with your Dad. My condolences to your family, you are all in my Prayers. Harriet & Lawrence Callanan.

Please accept our condolences.  Bill, as he asked us to address him by his first name, was an angel on earth sent to us.  Our ordeal in searching for housing for Olga in a new city proved to be a difficult one, but the moment we met Bill our difficult experience transformed into a wonderful encounter with a delightful, keen, trustworthy human being that you don't often meet/find nowadays in this busy world.  This great man made us feel so comfortable, we felt as if we had known him for a very long time.  You certainly had a very special man as a father.  He will live forever in our hearts.  I'm certain he is in heaven and in a very special place.  Our prayers are with you all and our beloved Bill.  God Bless you all.
Sincerely,  Gilberto and Maria Gallardo (Olga's father and mother)

Liz, Kate, Butch and Dan, I am so sorry for your loss.  Your father will be missed by so many.  He was a wonderful, bright, funny man.  I know he and your mother are together again.  I will be praying for you all. 

Much love to you all,
Chris

Condolences to my cousins. We will all miss his funny stories and upbeat personality. I will always continue to share what I learned from him...
"It's nice to be nice"
Your in our prayers.
Anne and Anthony Martin

OBITUARY

William G Bernard

December 28, 1927 – October 14, 2010

Joseph Gawler’s Sons, LLC

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services