William "Billy" Thomas Lancaster

William "Billy" Lancaster, age 53, passed away October 13, 2023 at his home in Kingston. He had recently moved back to Bartow County after years serving in law enforcement in Oklahoma. He was employed with the Woodstock Police Department K-9 Unit. To most, he was known as one of the "good ones."To many, he was known as a law enforcement officer. To some, he was Coach Billy. To others, he was Bill, Billy, Lancaster, and simply friend. To his son Tommy, he was known as his whole entire world. To Billy, Tommy was his entire universe. He originally came to Bartow County in 2002 and took over the Bartow Sheriff Office Drug Task Force K-9 unit. He went on to train officers from many states at his annual K-9 conference events hosted by BCSO. These were some of his happiest moments working with his four legged friends, his brothers in blue, and his beloved dad Tom Lancaster. His purpose was not to "lock-up the bad guys." His intent was to make communities safer for everyone. To those fellow brothers in blue, he was the one you wanted by your side or on the way when trouble was thick. To those on the opposite side of the law, he would let you know quickly he had a job to do and he did it well. But many he arrested or became involved with in his interdiction days would tell you Billy always treated them with respect and was fair. He saw them and he talked to them like humans and not perpetrators. No matter the situation or scenario, he used a community based policing model because it is best-practice, but also because he loved human engagement. He was the kind of cop the standard should be set by. Recently in August 2023, he attended a local cookout for those living in recovery and was quick to hand out hugs, pats on the back, and words of pure happiness in seeing those living in sobriety and doing well in life. What was so beautiful about this was that many in attendance he had arrested-several times. To the two Bartow Parks and Rec football teams he coached this fall, as well as many more teams back in Oklahoma, he was known to be a patient and a great teacher. Being a high school and college football player himself, as well as coaching his son Tommy most of his life, Billy loved football. He knew details and looked for opportunities to

share the love of the game and the vast knowledge he had himself as a player and later as an assistant college football coach at his alma mater the University of Central Oklahoma. No matter the sport, he loved pouring into the youth he worked with and found windows of opportunity to not only develop athletic skills, but to also build well-rounded and respectful future adults. Billy took time to stop and speak, shake a hand, brighten a day, and sought out opportunities to help others. That was his ministry.

A simple obituary could never encompass the life and message of this gentle giant. So this will have to be the best attempt to do so. If there was ever a message Billy would have left to the world it is this: Luke 6:31 "Do to others as you would have them do to you." Billy understood the meaning and the art of service. Billy was a servant leader to his family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, athletes, and even those who he had a single encounter with. Billy did not do it to be seen or for recognition. Billy served because his heart led him to. He could be seen helping the elderly or taking the time to just listen to them talk of yester-year. He would sit his big old frame down eye to eye with a child to make sure they felt seen and heard. Many times he was there changing a tire in full uniform, helping adjust football pads, praying for his team or co-workers, and even offering weight lifting tips with subliminal messages of affirmation, en- couragement, and life lessons. He was quick to be the one to deliver recliners, refrigerators, cut the grass, or do a little laundry for the homebound or elderly. He sought opportunities to mentor those new to law enforcement. He worshipped his Savior without reservation and loved to share Scriptures that had helped him through life's difficulties. No matter what he was going through personally, he woke up each day grateful for a new start and seized every moment to enjoy life and those around him. He loved the simple things in life and saw the immeasurable value in the simplicity of contentment. He spent many intentional moments lifting others up face to face or in a phone call instead of text because he believed it more meaningful to engage directly in person. If we as society can take anything from the passing of this amazing man, it should be this. Isaiah 1:17 “Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow.” One of his most stated sentiments was “words mean nothing without action.” “You are only as good as your word, but you are proven in your actions,” he would often say.

He was intentional in all he did and did if fully with everything in his heart and ability. If he could leave

us any parting words of meaning it would be to take a moment to look around you. Purposefully listen to those you encounter. Be present. Be patient. Be intentional. Work hard. Love harder. Give it all. There is no value that can placed on good old fashion time and attention. Society has suffered a tremendous loss in the passing of this old-timey type of gentleman and neighborly helping hand. That is who Billy was and all he did. If you had the pleasure of knowing him, you know the only thing bigger than his 6’4” 300 lb presence was his loving heart. If he could, Billy would implore us all to make every moment count. Do not put off until tomorrow what you can do today. If you can brighten a single moment for another, do it. Find opportunities to exercise a servant’s heart and be the hands and feet of Christ like he was. Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”