Comment of Jami Withrow

Danny and Andy,

Wanted to send my thoughts to you on the loss of your Dad. Butch, Jodi and I know too well the sadness of saying Goodbye to a Dad sooner than we want. I have to smile though, because just a couple of weeks ago I had to opportunity to deal with a particulary difficult patient, who just happened to be named.. Mrs. Cotton…and I so vividly remember a particular sermon of your Dad’s that spoke of a Mrs. Cotton…and how we all have “Mrs. Cottons” in our life, but must still care for these folks with the heart of Christ. He did make quite an impression on me, as did your Mom. I am very impressed with the warm tribute that you have made for him here…and am sure that he is smiling as well…(and probably doing so as he and Rev. Rick are playing heaven’s back 9!) May your memories of your Dad and the lives he touched keep him close to you and your families

Comment from Loraine Baxter

I know you don’t know me, but I just wanted to write a little note to let you know how much your father meant to our family. When we first attended the Bible Way Fellowship church and heard Rev Erickson preach, we knew that was where the Lord wanted us to be. He was so faithful about visiting my mother when she was sick. He would always make her laugh and she looked forward to his visits and so did we. My brother and Rev Erickson became very close during the last days while mom was in the hospital. He helped lead my brother to Christ. Mom would have loved it that her son had come to know Jesus. Rev Erickson preached my moms funeral and did a very good job. He was a very loving and caring person. I know you will all miss him as will we. The Baxters

Comment from Ruth Johnson

Hi Dan,

I thought that I would let you know of the passing of Gladys Cunningham (Rev. Roberts’s wife’s sister-in-law) on Tuesday.  You would probably remember your dad telling you about the two widows that he visited at the nursing home every Sunday after the morning service.  I don’t know if he told you of the stories of these two ladies competing for his attention.  I am laughing just thinking of what he went through with those two!  Can you imagine him sitting on the bed in their room and them asking him to rub their back?  I would ask him why he did it and he told me that he knew that Jesus would have done the same thing for them. 

There were only eight people at the graveside service yesterday, that’s not including Rev. Poteat and the two guys from the funeral home.  Rev. Poteat had never met Gladys but he said the connection to Gladys was thru Bill Erickson, who had many years ago led Harvey to Christ and he never had the privilege of meeting Bill but because of him he would eventually get to meet Gladys in heaven one day.  He said that Bill had led Gladys to Christ three years ago at the nursing home and that that was a miracle in itself.  People in their eighties are very hard to win, but because of Bill’s love for Jesus and the deep desire he had that others would know Jesus too, these two people are in heaven today.  He also challenged us that we need to have that same spirit of soul winning and compassion for the lost as Bill did.

You know, as I do that this is just one of the many victories of your dad’s legacy of soul winning.  I thank God that I was there to hear this and I am able to share this with you. 

We know that all things are possible with God.

God Bless,

Ruth

Comment from Rita Payne

Dear Dan & Family,

I was deeply touched when reading of your life experiences on your way back to God. I pray that many people will read it and will respond to God the way you did.

I was so sorry to hear of your dad’s death. I am confident that he is rejoicing in heaven at this moment and that you, your family and his friends will be there with him at our appointed time.

Your dad was a dear friend in the short time that I knew him. He came to Danville shortly before my deceased husband, Rick Withrow, and I married in the early 90’s and was a tremendous help during Rick’s failing physical abilities due to Parkinson’s disease. Bill was a true friend to both of us. He and Rick are probably rejoicing together right now.

I had not heard from your dad since a few weeks after Rick died in October of 2001, so I was not aware of any illness and was surprised when I saw his obituary. I’m so glad to find this website and to be able to contact you. He expressed to us many times how very proud he was of his boys and grandchildren. He loved you all very much.

I pray that God will continue to use you and that He will draw you and your family close to Him and comfort you and I am certain that…in Rick’s words…the greatest days of your life are just ahead.

Thank you for answering the call.

God bless,

Rita

Comment from Ray Parker

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 22, 2008
Bill touched many lives, his compassion and befief was a beacon to many lost souls. I ran into him around the middle of april, even after many years, his zest for life was the same as when i first met him.
He will be missed.
Ray Parker (Danville, VA)

Comment from Daniel Erickson (Grandson)

I remember from when I was little that I always looked forward to Grandpop (what I called him) coming to town. I could never really say why until, this past christmas, when he came down. I enjoyed every second of his company. The conversations we had inspired the mind and filled the room with laughter. There was never a dull moment and he will be missed.
Daniel Erickson
Grandson

Comment from Jan Cage

dan,
I was blessed to be able to speak with your father when he came to Va. to speak at Don McFarland’s funeral. It had been 30 years. What a dear and godly man, your dad. One could hear wisdom and revelation as he spoke, but it seemed to come from a different place, far deeper than when he spoke so many years ago. As we conversed, I could see the pain of difficult circumstances in his words but see the humility and peace in Christ he readily professed and lived now as well. He spoke lovingly and encouragingly of you. I’m grateful for the privilege of being able to know him and the family he was given to shepherd through his years on earth.
jan

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)