Comment from Kim Caldwell

This comment was posted to the newspaper that carried my father’s obituary. We are very grateful for the kind words and prayer support.

May 16, 2008
Danny & Andy,
I was so saddened to hear of your father’s passing. He holds such a special place in my heart. I have so many wonderful memories of you and your family. Bro. Erickson was probably one of the most influential pastors in my life. I respected and admired him so much. I hope that you both know you have been in my prayers . I long for the day when we will all be gathered together again especially since my youngest brother has passed on, too. Take care and may God continue to comfort and sustain you during this time.
Kim (Roberson) Caldwell
Kim Caldwell (Hendersonville, TN)

Comment from Jimmie Roberson

This comment was posted to the newspaper that carried my father’s obituary. We are very grateful for the kind words and prayer support.

May 16, 2008
Danny & Andy
Your dad, in fact, your whole family has always been so special to Philip and me. We have so many good memories of our times together and were so looking forward to seeing your Dad again when he visited you in Nashville. I just cannot express what it meant to us to have him praying for us when we went through a family crisis recently. Most of the time, he’d call to check on us just after his cemetery prayer time – he was so concerned for us.
It has been such a joy to be reunited with you, Danny, and to see how God is working in your life. We love you!
Jimmie Roberson (Hendersonville, TN)

Comment from Phil Roberson

This comment was posted to the newspaper that carried my father’s obituary. We are very grateful for the kind words and prayer support.

May 16, 2008
Bill Erickson was really the first pastor that I remember knowing as a kid, at First Nazarene Church in Jackson, MS. Then, he was my pastor again in Pascagoula, MS, my senior year. I have many fond memories of his laughter and his wonderful spirit. He always made me feel important.

Within the last six months, Bill and I talked a few times and actually text-messaged back and forth. He was again a strong voice of support for me and my family as we were traversing some rough landscape. He faithfully prayed for me and my family daily as he walked the cemetery near his home. I can’t tell you all how much his consistent support has meant to me recently. I was so sad to hear of his passing, but rejoice with Dan and Andy that he is in the presence of God now … right where he wanted to be.

My father, Philip Roberson, served as his Minister of Music and they were always a source of much laughter together.

I have been reunited with Dan, Bill’s oldest son, over the past few years, and we now see each other every week here in the Nashville area. In fact, just had lunch yesterday with Dan and saw Andy last week for the first time since he and my brother, Dave, were “single digits”.

Dan started a blog about his Dad, that I am sure many of you would be interested in seeing. Here is the address to the blog: http://billerickson.wordpress.com/

If you would pass on the blog address to anyone you know that knew Bill Erickson and family members, and loved and appreciated him/them as much as I have over the years, I know that would mean a lot to Dan and Andy. Let’s spread the word.
Phil Roberson, Jr. (Nashville, TN)

Comment from Bea Blackmon

I remember your dad as being a very gifted speaker with a powerful and compelling use of language. I also remember him as funny and interesting to be with. One day I came home from work and found him seated at my kitchen table. Placed in front of him on the table was an empty dinner plate, a glass and utensils. He had a fork in his hand to tell me that he was hungry! He was well loved and respected and did a lot of good – only heaven will reveal how much.

Reply:
Those funny moments and the corny sense of humor he had about him are some of the things Andy and I laughed so hard about during our time in Danville last week. It was difficult to be sad for him for we know where he is and so we remembered and laughed. It was very healing. In the coming days there will be pictures posted to this site that will share this side of my Dad with the world.
Thank you for your love and care Aunt Bea!!!!

Comment from Brenda Erickson

This comment was posted to the newspaper that carried my father’s obituary. We are very grateful for the kind words and prayer support.

May 12, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family,I loved your dad and miss him so much,I can’t believe he is gone,it doesn’t seem real,he helped a lot of people during his lifetime and that will live on.
Brenda Erickson (Providence, NC)

Comment from Brenda Erickson

This comment was posted to the newspaper that carried my father’s obituary. We are very grateful for the kind words and prayer support.

May 12, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I loved your dad and miss him so much. I can’t believe he is gone, it doesn’t seem real. He helped a lot of people during his lifetime and that will live on.
Brenda Erickson (Providence, NC)

Comment from Marlon Compton

This comment was posted to the newspaper that carried my father’s obituary. We are very grateful for the kind words and prayer support.

May 8, 2008
I was so shocked to read of Bill’s death. I remember him through the years as a phenomenal evangelist with the Nazarene Church. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers as you face the days ahead.
Marlon Compton (Danville, VA)

Comment from Dennis Clark

This comment was posted to the newspaper that carried my father’s obituary. We are very grateful for the kind words and prayer support.

May 8, 2008
I am so sorry to heard of Mr Erickson’s death. I have fond memories of his family from my younger years in Danville
Dennis Clark (Manchester, TN)

Comment from Celeste Barlow

This comment was posted to the newspaper that carried my father’s obituary. We are very grateful for the kind words and prayer support.

May 8, 2008
Andy & Danny- I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I’m not sure if you remember me or not, but I am Paul & Lou Adam’s granddaughter. My grandmother (Lou) passed away in July, so I know the grief you are feeling. You are both in my prayers during this difficult time. My Grandmother and your Mother kept in contact until my grandmother became too ill early last year. Mrs. Gwen is also in my prayers. She is one of the classiest and sweetest ladies I have ever known. I also have such fond memories of your Father. He ALWAYS made me laugh! I will also never forget all the times Andy & I played together while the adults did their thing. Your family will always hold a special place in my heart. I know you will miss him, but ain’t heaven sweeter with him there. God bless, and take care. Celeste
Celeste Barlow (Pascagoula, MS)

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Later, Celeste emailed to share some of her memories of my parents.

Dan,
Hello! Thank you so much for directing me to the memorial website for your father. It is wonderful! It is such a well written, honest, loving tribute to him! Last year when my grandmother passed, I had to go through her things. I found some photographs of your family. I have scanned them and attached them to this email. I hope you enjoy them. I know when I look at them, they bring a smile to my face. Our families had some great times together through the years. Please let me know if you have any problems viewing them.

I would like to share 2 stories with you if I may. The first story is about your mother. In 1980 my parents divorced and my father kidnapped my 2 younger brothers. Back then there wasn’t the technology to track people like there is today. 2 years went by and we had no idea where they were. In 1982 your mother and my grandmother decided that they should fast together. Your mother from Memphis and my grandmother here in Pascagoula. Everyday they would call each other and pray together for God to bring my brothers home. I believe they fasted and prayed for a week. Just a few weeks later, we received a call from a lady in Salt Lake City, Utah, informing us where my brothers were located. We were able to bring them home safely the following week. My family has never forgotten the sacrifice your mother made by fasting and praying for my family during that difficult time. We are certain God heard and answered the prayers of those 2 wonderful prayer warriors. We all just think the world of Mrs. Gwen. Now, we are praying for her and your family.

My second story is about your father. I remember your family had left Pascagoula and your father had gone back to being an evangelist. He came down here to preach at a small little church. He may have even been staying with my grandparents. Church came that Sunday and I remember him riding with my grandparents to that little church. I was probably 8 years old or so and as I listened to your father’s message that day I began looking around (I was a very observant child). On the way to lunch after church I remember my grandparents in the front seat and your dad and I were in the back seat. I looked up at him and I told him, “Bro. Bill, I enjoyed your sermon today. But there weren’t very many people there to hear it.” He replied, “No, it was a small church.”  To which I replied, “Yes it was! I only counted 9 people and I even included God!” I thought he would never stop laughing! He always made me laugh, and I think that was the first time I actually made him laugh! Every time I saw him after that, we always laughed about how I even counted God!

Thank you for letting me share those stories with you. I am 36 years old now, but those memories are still so strong in my mind. Both of your parents made such an impact on my life – one that I will never forget.

Thank you again for emailing me, it was good to hear from you.

God Bless,
Celeste 

Comment from Mrs. Vernon Whittington

This comment was posted to the newspaper that carried my father’s obituary. We are very grateful for the kind words and prayer support.

May 12, 2008
Danny and Andy – so sorry to learn of your father’s death. He was my pastor while in Jackson, MS and your family endeared themselves to me during that pastorate. Please know you are in my prayers. If I can be of help in any way, please feel free to contact me.
Mrs. Vernon Whittington (Pensacola, FL)