Bill Lancaster

With my father’s unexpected passing this put my mother in a distressing position. Without having the proper time to grieve the loss of the love of her life and her very best friend she was now a single mother. I have the highest respect for the way my mother stepped up and took on her new responsibilities. She thought me that regardless of our problems we must keep moving forward with our lives. Also, to not take life so serious, that you lose your sense of humor. As she often said, “it is better to laugh than to cry.”

After graduating from Raytown South High School, the Cardinals, I worked on the design floor of Hallmark Cards before enlisting into the Navy. I remained in the Navy for 21 years. Traveling to the various countries, in my case primarily the Far East, I learned that regardless of where you are born and raised in this world, we all have the same basic issues with life. Generally the same things make us laugh and the same things make us cry. I will not pretend that each day of those 21 years was a bed of roses, however it is an experience that I would proudly do all over again.

Once retired from the Navy I tried out several things until I began work for Cox Communications in Direct Sales. As I love inter-action with people, this was the perfect job. I worked there nearly 6 years before Cox decided to shut down the Direct Sales Department in Oklahoma City. I could have remained with the company in a different capacity but I elected “very” early retirement. I soon obtained my license as a Realtor as well as a Loan Officer. I have taken a little break as I have had several mysterious medical issues, which were eventually diagnosed as side effects of Diabetes. Now diabetes sucks in its own right, but the side issues it brings with it can be very annoying. To be honest some of the side effects had caught me off guard; however I am regaining more control with every day!

The accomplishment that I am most proud in my life is becoming the father of seven remarkable children. As any parent knows there are those times that are more trying. Sometimes, these “trying times” last for moments. Other times they last for days, months, or even years. But no matter what, the love and pride I feel for each of my children is never tainted. I must say I also have great pride in my one grandchild and certainly look forward to many more.

My mother passed on December 13th of 2008. I will miss her always. A woman full of love, she never met a stranger. Mom was a great sounding board. She knew when to just listen and knew when to tell you to rethink your idea. I know it was her time as my mother never did anything until she was good and ready. Rest in Peace Mom.



Hot Topics:

Religion: I feel you can hold true to your own beliefs without passing judgment on others. The bottom line is that if a person can find a belief system that teaches them to respects themselves as well as others, than I say “great.” I have no respect for those who talk the talk but don’t walk the walk. And, I certainly have no respect for anyone whom blames a higher power for their hatred towards others.





Politics: I have had many moments of great pride in our country. But I remember none that have touched my heart and grabbed my soul with the intensity as with the election of Barack Obama as our 44th President of the United States of America. I am very optimistic in regards to our future. I feel President Obama will be a President that brings our country and our world together. I feel he will be a President of the People, in the truest since of the word. I feel people from around the world will once again feel comfortable following America’s lead to achieve world peace.





War: It is a difficult task to achieve peace when our primary tools have been bullets and bombs. I feel President Obama will exhaust all efforts of talk, prior to shooting. I have the highest optimism that President Obama will find a responsible way to get our troops out of Iraq and put more in Afghanistan where they are truly needed. I hate war, however, I am not so naive that I don’t understand that sometimes it does take war to achieve peace.





Gay and Lesbian Marriage: In this day and age where the world has so much hate and violence, why, if not encourage, at least not interrupt any relationship where two people find love and respect for one another?





Marijuana: It should be legalized. Besides the many medical benefits; I would rather deal with a person that is high on marijuana as oppose to one who is drunk on alcohol. One will likely look for someone to fight, while the other will more likely look for something to eat. Some of the potential therapeutic uses: Gliomas, Alzheimer’s, Fibromyalgia, Dystonia, Hepatitis C, Diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis, ALS, Tourette’s Syndrome, HIV, Hypertension, Sleep Apnea, GI Disorders, Incontinence, and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Besides the negative effects on the profits of the pharmaceutical companies, why is marijuana still illegal? Being a Diabetic with Sleep Apnea and Arthritis, Marijuana would be the perfect alternative to many of the pharmaceuticals I am prescribed, if only I didn’t also have Asthma. I suppose it is time that I learn to bake.