He is a grandson, son, brother, cousin, nephew, uncle, father, grandfather, friend, husband.
He is caring, the tall man that wraps his arms around his mother and Nana.
He is funny, so funny that I still remember having sore cheeks when my Nana dropped me off from our weekends together.
He is protective, the father of three daughters who need him and deserve him every day. He is brave. The courage that his two younger brothers have only been able to experience for a portion of their young lives. We remember you as these qualities every day.
You are not a victim of senseless violence to us. You are more than a folder in someone’s drawer to us. Although it was cut short, your life matters to us. Still. Every day. I’m unsure if it hurts worse that after 20 years, your murder has remained unsolved and unspoken of by law enforcement for at least 15 yrs. But I do know that it’s not right and means to me that they don’t care.
The chain is broken, but we heal every day. We are grateful for the time we have had with you but we miss and love you every moment we are without you.
Benjamin Edwin DeWillis we love you and remember you …
Written by Lauren Nance, cousin of Benjamin Edwin DeWillis, on behalf of his mother.