Help Bill With Supportive Housing

Bill Charnley needs assistance. His will to live is stronger than the Amyloidosis and Multiple Myeloma he was diagnosed with back in 2013. For almost a year, this Navy veteran has been in hospice. Though he can no longer walk or even dress himself, he has to leave, those are the rules … and his money is running out. He deserves to be in a decent place where his needs can be properly met during whatever time he has left; a place where he can die in dignity.

 

Bill was born in Pasadena in 1946. He recalls that Los Angeles was a wonderful place to grow up and the years of his youth were iconic. Double features cost only a dime, baseball uniforms had knee-high length pants and basketball players wore short shorts. He is a fan of classic uniforms and short hair in sports. Not a fan of pop culture, he joked that everything went downhill after 1963.

 

Bill graduated from UCSB in 1967 and then joined the Navy. He served as a navigation quartermaster on the USS Long Beach. He and the crew were tasked with air traffic control and search and rescue over northern Vietnam. Following his tour of duty, Bill returned to Santa Barbara and studied at Brooks Institute of Photography. For many decades Bill created assemblage art and was an avid nature photographer. Tommy, his beloved feline companion was a frequent subject of his photos. As is typical with artists he had a day job as a painting contractor.

 

Until a few years ago he continued to work and live independently, gradually losing strength and mobility. For almost a year Bill’s death was considered imminent and he entered a small and cozy hospice facility. Through their tender and loving care, the attention of his friends, and his strong spirit, Bill has survived beyond the six-month window of their ability to retain patients. They even extended his stay for an additional 6 months through sheer kindness and generosity. Bill and all of his friends are truly grateful for the support and care at this miraculous place.

 

His friends have found a skilled nursing facility where they believe Bill will be comfortable and well-cared for. Bill has lived a simple, frugal and responsible life, but sadly his money is running out. Our hope is to raise money so that Bill can move into the facility without the stress of thinking about the need to move again due to lack of finances.

 

We are appealing to all of Bill’s friends and asking them to contribute any amount they can and also to spread this post to others. Please help.