William J. "Billy" Langville's Obituary
On April 25, 2017 William J. “Billy” Langville Better known to his friends as Worm. Billy worked 39 years at Domino Sugar he Retired in his 40th year. Dearest Husband of the late Christina Langville (nee Regiec) Devoted Father of Eric W. Langville and his Wife Angela and Tina A. Kessler and her Husband Ronald. Loving Brother of Edward P. Langville and his Wife Jeannie and Mary “Buzzy” Fortman and her Husband Ricky. Dear Brother In-Law of Ronald G. McFarland and his Wife Frances. Loving Grandfather of Christina Grow, Ashley Kessler, Kristen Langville, Summer Langville, Liberty Langville, Zach Kessler, Erica Langville and Jari Langville. Dear Great Grandfather of Tessa Grow. Also survived by many other loving relatives and friends.
Family invite friends to call at the Charles L. Stevens Funeral Home, Inc. 1501 E. Fort Avenue Locust Point MD 21230 on Tuesday 3:00pm – 9:00pm. Funeral Services will be heal at the Funeral Home on Wednesday at 11:00am. Interment will be private. Family request in lieu of flowers contributions be made to The American Lung Association of Maryland http://www.lung.org
My Brother
A brother by definition is a sibling that gives you advice, not to show how wise he is but to point you in the right direction, for your sake; one who shares many memories that bring them close to you; the person who makes fun of you without it hurting your feelings; the definition of fun and love; one who gives and seeks advice; the one who tells you like it is; the role model; the one who knows how to make you laugh, and boy did he ever; the one who treats you like you are nothing more and nothing less so that you know your importance, but are humble as well; the one you are most like; someone that generates tears when gone; no matter where you are in the world or how long it's been since you've seen each other, you are still close, that’s what a brother is and does.
Billy and I are only 11 months apart in age, and although he was smaller than me in stature, I always considered him my big brother and listened to him and followed his direction sometimes good and other times not so good. Billy was born premature, and if our mother was still living, she would say that was the reason for him being smaller, and for many of his zany antics. But, our mother was only four foot eleven, so I think that also had something to do with it.
Looking back today at our childhood it’s become apparent to us just how tough things were back then. But, we didn't realize or look at it that way. Our parents never had a lot of money to give us, so we both realized at a young age that if we wanted anything, we had to go out and work for it, and work we did! And it was Billy who showed me the way. We would do anything to earn a buck, but most of the time it was nickels, dimes and quarters. I remember the two of us delivering advertising circulars for Lipman's grocery store located at Fort Ave and William St. We delivered those circulars rain or snow in the dead of winter and the heat of summer to an area extending from Cross St north; to the railroad tracks south; and from Lawrence St east to Charles St west. We’d deliver to every house on every street for a mere $2.00. Those of you who grew up in south Baltimore know how large an area that is. We shoveled sidewalks for a quarter each; we stocked shelves in Lipman's for 50 cents an hour, collected soda bottles for the 2 cent deposit. Anything we could do to earn money, we did it, and most of it we did together and Billy was the boss, the talker, the one that lined up most of the work. He always looked out for me, and for that reason I'm the person I am today. He taught me that hard work pays off in the long run. I learned that through him and it carried over into my adulthood.
As some may know, Billy had a penchant for removing his clothes and running around naked; something that carried over into his adult years. There's probably not many of his neighbors in and around Lowman street that haven't seen Billy streaking through the neighborhood naked, and I heard there are those who worked with him at Domino sugar that also witnessed it during work hours operating a forklift. And, it's for this reason that he was given the nickname "WORM!" I'll leave it to your imagination as to why...
I have so many more stories and fond memories that I could fill a newspaper with them all, and not because they're not entertaining, there's just too many to put down on paper. Every time I think of Billy a smile appears on my face and a tear in my eye. Tina his daughter, said to me at the hospital, "he did make us all smile", and I said no Tina he made us all laugh out loud. When he lived in Locust Point, I don't think there was anyone in that entire neighborhood that didn't know who he was, and for that reason people there came to know me, not by Eddie, but by "Oh you're Billy's brother". But you know what, that's okay with me, because as long as I'm alive Billy's memory will continue.
Now let me tell you a few things about Billy that some outside the family may not know. He was a devoted husband to Chrissy who also left us much too early. I laugh when I think of her, simply because she's the only one that could actually control Billy. She let him carry on with his usual antics, but when it got a little over the top Chrissy would set him straight. She had a power over him that our mother never possessed. Billy really loved and cherished her and after she passed, I could see that something really special left Billy, and he just wasn't the same. He loved her dearly.
Billy was also a devoted father to two wonderful children, Tina and Eric. He helped raised them with Chrissy to becoming the fine upstanding citizens and adults they are today. Billy worked endlessly and tirelessly many long hours at Domino Sugar to make sure he provided all the necessities in life and the education they needed to become successful. It was through his example that they developed the same work ethic and became the fine adults they are today, and he was very proud of and loved them very much.
Billy was also very proud and devoted to his grandchildren: Kristen, Summer, Liberty, Erica, Jari, Zach, and two step granddaughters Christina and Ashley, and just recently a great step granddaughter Tessa. He loved taking them places and spending time with them, and on occasion I would take my grandsons Brett and Kyle and join them. I laugh as I'm writing this of the times he's gotten band from the little league field for being too critical of an umpires call during one of Zach’s games, or should I say many of his games.
Billy was a good brother. We fought, we cried, we laughed, we played, and competed, but we also loved each other along with our sister Buzzy. As years passed and we didn't see as much of each other that didn't mean we stopped loving each other, it just meant we didn't always have the time. The love was always there and I miss him dearly and I will for a long time. He left us all much too early! I seriously thought he would outlive me because as our mother would say, he’s too ornery for anything to happen to him.
One last thought and a bit of humor for those who knew Billy well and how crazy he could be at times, I can just hear my Mom and Chrissy up in heaven saying " My God there goes the Neighborhood", because I know he's already driving them crazy.
Rest in peace Brother, I miss you so much, forever Billy's Brother.
Eddie
What’s your fondest memory of William?
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Describe a day with William you’ll never forget.
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