Family, friends reflect on Billings Fuess’ charm, ‘infectious smile’
Friends and family of Billings Fuess IV sought shelter from Saturday’s torrential downpour to celebrate the young man’s life. Those in mourning gathered for the memorial service officiated by “Billy” Fuess’ former pastor, Bob Chiles, at a warm and welcoming Dunbar Funeral Home.
Fuess, 22, was one of four victims in a car accident that took place early Wednesday morning when their vehicle collided with the Farm Bureau Insurance building near the intersection of George Rogers Boulevard and Shop Road.
The other victims were identified as Kelsey “Kel” Harris, a fourth-year economics student; Brian McGrath, a third-year history student; and Melinda Pipp.
Personal effects and items of memorabilia adorned the front of the service room, including a Gamecock Pillow Pet and a USC baseball cap that represented Fuess’ time as a student at the university.
Photograph collages of a young Fuess showing off the “infectious smile” that several family members affectionately recalled were displayed, as well as some of his artwork and a silk-screened T-shirt he had designed.
Although the occasion was solemn, there was a feeling of celebration among Fuess’ family members as they viewed the slideshows of Fuess displayed throughout the room, fondly remembering when each photo was taken and laughing about the good memories.
Chiles led the service and presented the difficult and paradoxical task in gathering together that day: to “celebrate Billy’s life, to honor his memory … and yet to let him go.”
“We’re not supposed to be here today, celebrating a life cut so short,” Chiles said. “Life is precious, and life is so very fragile … When accidents like this happen, we’re caught so short in the fragility of life.”
Chiles recalled how Fuess liked to fish, sail, play music, create art and play ultimate Frisbee. He was commonly honored among family members with the title of “best hugger in the world.”
Several of Fuess’ relatives and close friends of the family spoke individually on their relationships with Fuess, the life he led and the man he was.
Fuess’ younger brother Andrew recalled fondly how the bullying nature of his older sibling was his way of showing affection. Andrew Fuess shared that the greatest day of his life was when he picked up his older brother from the airport and the two were reunited for the first time in South Carolina after living in separate states.
Fuess’ mother Wendy referred to her son as “Charming Billy,” a man with an infectious spirit and such charisma that “he could talk his way out of anything,” even if it wasn’t always in his own best interests.
The service concluded with a song that held a special meaning for Fuess’ stepsister Holly, and a tragically appropriate significance for the occasion — “The Funeral” by Band of Horses. She said the two of them had bonded during a road trip recently over their love of the song and Fuess’ story of how he had met the band.
Before attendees had to return to the dismal weather and let their loved one go, Chiles encouraged them to “tell the people you love that you love them,” something he said Fuess was never hesitant to do.