"Billy Standley Buried Astride His Motorcycle Inside Enormous Plexiglass Box, Riding Beloved Harley To Heaven"
From: The Huffington Post
By: The Huffington Post
Bill Standley, a 82 year old Ohio man who recently passed, is having his family fulfill one of his last wishes. Bill absolutely loved his 1967 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Cruiser, which he had custom work put into. His family said that he would use that as his only means of transportation, and was not able to be away from it. The family needed a extra large cemetery plot to fit a large plexiglas case that contained Bill riding his motorcycle one last time. He was given a metal back brace and straps to ensure that he would not get off the seat. Bill made his living starting off at thirteen, from being a ranch boy and bull rider. He said that his motorcycle was the last way to retain a sense of adventure and exploration from his youth. "He was a quirky man," his daughter Dorothy said. "But when it comes to us kids, he loved us, he raised us well and, of course, we wanted to help him." What is most impressive, is that he himself started the project. Bill made the plexiglas case and decided how to fashion himself onto the seat to make sure he would not fall. All of his family and biker friends were invited to see his final ride.
This is truly a sad story. Although I do not think burying the motorcycle with him is admirable but at the same time it is what Bill wanted so the family had to fulfill that task. Many people develop attachments and this attachment was a strange one. Not using any other type of transportation sounds a bit crazy but I guess for Bill the motorcycle meant the world to him.
ReplyDeleteMaybe towards the end, Bill had lost all his sense of judgment. However, what was his family thinking, to have surgically placed a metal brace into their beloved father’s spine, just to make sure he does not fall off his bike while dead. What is the point of burying a well-kept motorcycle that is in excellent running condition when it could have benefited another motorcycle enthusiast?? I am sure only Bill’s family can answer this question.
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful to see that all sense of adventure does not wither away with old age. Bill Standley exudes life and to him the Harley Davidson was a way to keep in touch with his daring personality. It is admirable of his family to honor his wish of being buried with his beloved motorcycle, although it seems a bit extreme. Fantastic job with the touching topic Kevin!
ReplyDeleteWow! This is truly an astonishing story. To read and learn about an old man with such ambition is quite refreshing. Bills daring and bold personality is inspiring, however his family’s love and support is also extremely touching. The article chosen by Kevin is very moving and inspirational. Awesome job, Kevin, keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteThis man is truly something else, he did not fear death but he merely celebrated it. I found this post to be quite disturbing because I have always personally related the idea of death and funerals with a formal and morbid environment, not an extremely old man being buried with a motorcycle.
ReplyDeleteBill can officially say he has fulfilled the goals he set in his life for himself. He loved the two centerpieces of his life that mattered most to him: his bike and his family. I am glad to hear Bill was buried with his beautiful bike because to him it probably meant the world. Many people might not appreciate a story like such, but I feel it shows the true meaning of life. Great Job!
ReplyDeleteHearing about a man that is so attached to his motorcycle and preparing for his life to be a memorable one for both others and himself is truly fascinating. I honestly have never heard of someone being so committed to making others indirectly realize how valuable life is, and enjoy each and every moment of it, even customizing one's own coffin. Despite the creepiness of imagining a skeleton on a motorcycle in the future, outstanding post Kevin.
ReplyDeleteThis is the most useless news blog or summary of a news article that the author of this very comment has read. There is hunger, crime, poverty, injustice, mass-murder, disease, war, sickness, inequality, hatred, racism, dictatorships, oppression, sexism, and many other horrible realities humans face on a daily basis. But as long as Billy over here gets buried with his Harley.
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ReplyDeleteIt is amazing to hear the great love for adventure and life from a man of Bill's age. I truly admire the passion this man has for the motorcycle he has owned for so many years. Everyone has their own prized possessions in this world, but to be buried with them as well is a new extreme! This funeral should be quite interesting...
ReplyDeleteI am baffled in awe. It is astonishing to see how attached a person can become to a materialistic object. This motorcycle clearly meant the world to a man filled with life and adventure. The amount of love this man was capable of allowed a ginormous impact on my life as well. Thank you for the splendid yet outrageous article, Kevin!
ReplyDeleteIt is always very interesting to hear about stories like this one. A man who has so much passion for one thing that he had to be buried with it is great. It truly shows how different people's perspectives on things are. A motorcycle could mean nothing to one person, but to another it could be what their life revolves around. This story is a little extreme but it shows how everyone appreciates things differently, this truly shows how every single person's values are different and unique.
ReplyDeleteWhen other people hear a situation such as a man being buried with his motorcycle, they might think it is incredibly crazy. In fact, for Bill Standley, he loved his bike and finds it to be holding such a great value to become buried with an object. It sounds abnormal to others but to Bill it meant a lot. Instead of being judgmental of Bill's decision, everyone should be supportive and allow him to rest in peace with his most valuable possession.
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