One Year Later - Proof of Life

Today is Billy’s birthday. One year ago, I launched The Billy Factor as a way to carry his presence forward. Rather than marking an ending, I wanted to do something that allowed what mattered most about him to keep showing up in the world. 

It has been a hard year rebuilding daily life and the second year is proving to be what grief experts warn you about, even more challenging now that the shock has worn off and the reality is inescapable.

Monty had been my constant through all of it — my companion, my routine, my emotional anchor. At the end of January, after holding on with so much heart, he passed peacefully at 16 1/2 years old. I’m deeply grateful he went in such a serene and peaceful way after everything we had been through together.

And, because of your generosity, Billy’s legacy also continued to show up in real, tangible ways to bolster me in the last year:

• We donated his car to a single mom of three who was working hard to rebuild her life. Her name is Monte (with an E), and she has been an avid women’s softball player all her life — a catcher, just like Billy was. I had no doubt she was the right person. 

• We also helped my high school physics teacher — who also knew Billy and is living with a Parkinson’s-like condition — get a specialized walker with safety features insurance wouldn’t cover so he could feel more stable and independent. Billy and he used to see each other at our high school reunions and would always end up talking about math and physics. They genuinely enjoyed each other.

• Through Virginia Beach City Public Schools’ FACE (Family and Community Engagement) team, we helped a mother leaving a difficult home situation get beds for her three children after she did everything right to secure a new apartment but still came up short. We’re now a quiet, flexible resource for FACE when there’s no formal program and a little help at the right moment can make a real difference. 

• And one that hit especially close to home: The Billy Factor helped save a three-year-old cockapoo named Jasper just two days before Monty passed. His owner, a retired veteran on a fixed income, had no choice but to euthanize him because she couldn’t afford emergency surgery for a life-threatening blockage. The staff at our vet loved Billy and remembered the fund and reached out. With your help, she was able to get Jasper the surgery he needed. He pulled through and is doing well recovering at home. 

I was also accepted into a volunteer coaching program with The Honor Foundation, supporting Naval Special Warfare operators as they transition into civilian life after careers performing at an elite level. It may not be a sport, but it allows me to use my skills to continue Billy’s love of coaching in a meaningful way. 

What matters most to me in all of this is being able to show up for people who are already doing everything they can to move forward — they just need a little extra help to get them over the line.

Thank you for trusting me. Together, we raised over $25,000 so far. The fund sits in a high-yield savings account, and every dollar is used thoughtfully and carefully in moments where it can make a real difference. The fund is still active, and Billy’s impact will continue to show up quietly when the right situations arise.

I’m taking things one day at a time, but I feel him in all of this. Today — his birthday — I just wanted to take a moment to update you, thank you and let you know that his spirit is still very much at work in the world.

With love and gratitude,  

Vicki

 In Loving Memory of Monty  💙                                   May 21, 2009 - January 26, 2026