William P. Renstrom

William Paul (Billy) Renstrom, 87, of Lakewood, CO: beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother & uncle; retired Gospel minister and tenor vocalist. Born in Glencoe, OH, on Oct 22, 1924, to Swedish immigrants Oscar & Elin Renstrom, the youngest of their 12 children. Billy & wife Ruby have four children, nine grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren. His life was characterized by his deep faith, love for his Lord and family, a tender heart, never-ending smile, hearty chuckle, and non-stop jokes.

A local high school football hero, Billy graduated from Struthers High in Jan of 1941 and entered the Army later that year. The 18 year-old arrived in France a few weeks after D-Day via Normandy Beach. As an engineer in Patton's 3rd Army, he built pontoon bridges replacing those destroyed by the enemy in order to slow the advance of the Allies, repaired war-ravaged roads, and spent a great deal of time clearing and destroying Nazi landmines that abundantly peppered the French countryside.

In Nov of 1944, just days after his 20th birthday, Billy met with a grievous accident involving a landmine that ended his Army career. Shrapnel embedded into his face, arms and legs. He suffered internal injuries, the total loss of one eye, and irreparable damage to the other. Although Billy eventually regained his health and vitality, he was left totally blind. During those difficult days of adjusting, Billy's faith was renewed and he rededicated his life to the service of God.

Following an honorable discharge, Billy and his brother Roy attended Denver Bible Institute. Soon after arriving in Denver, he discovered he had a beautiful tenor singing voice and a passion for music. He also discovered the love of his life, Ruby Harwood.

Billy and Ruby married in Lakewood, CO, in August of 1947, and devoted the next 64 years together in service to the Lord. Billy graduated from Bible College and accepted his first pastorate in Boone, CO. God then called him to teach at Western Bible Institute in Morrison, CO. From there, Billy and Ruby ministered at Denver's Central Bible Church as Associate Pastor & Music Director until their calling in 1970 to the Bill Rice Ranch in Murfreesboro, TN. There, the Renstroms joined the Evangelistic Team of Dr. Bill Rice and enjoyed traveling and ministering together with the Rices for ten years.

In 1975, the VA Hospital in Nashville partnered with a noted eye surgeon from Vanderbilt University Hospital, and recommended a cutting edge surgery. The risk of this surgery meant that Billy could lose the light perception in his only eye; the benefit of the surgery would be to restore at least some of his vision. After much prayer, he and Ruby decided it was a risk they should take. Weeks of prayerful preparation led to the day when the doctors actually cut into his eye, with literally thousands of friends from one end of the country to the other praying for God's direction for the surgeon's hands. As the last bandage was pulled away and light flooded into the eye that had been sightless for 31 years, Billy felt a stab of disappointment that the surgery didn't seem to have worked. His world was certainly brighter, but he couldn't actually see anything. Then, as the doctor placed a pair of "Coke bottle bottom" glasses on Billy's face, he discovered after 31 years of darkness, he was no longer blind! This miraculous story of restored sight blanketed the country. News reporters from coast to coast called for interviews, and Billy was honored to give God the glory, and use the circumstances to praise God for His goodness.

After a move to Florida in 1980, Billy and Ruby formed their own evangelistic team. They crisscrossed the country sharing the Gospel for a few more years before Billy was called to be Associate Pastor & Music Director in Seffner, Florida, at Community Baptist Church.

As Billy entered his 70s and 80s, his health began to deteriorate. Heart trouble was diagnosed. His knees and ankles began to fail him. Years of exposure to the Florida sun left the fair-complected Swede vulnerable to skin cancer. By 2008, Billy was noticeably changing. Always the historian and story-teller, the family noticed that he was often confused and got events mixed up. This, they discovered, was the beginning of dementia. The Lord led them back to Colorado to be close to family. After many surgeries and radiation treatments, his body refused to respond any longer to treatment, and a large area of cancer on his forehead next to his only sighted eye forced it to close. Billy's world turned dark…for the second time. During his final months, he became completely dependent upon Ruby. Days after his 87th birthday, the doctors assigned him to hospice care. Watching him struggle and gain the victory over his trials and challenges, his unofficial theme song has new meaning:


When We See Christ
by Esther Kerr Rusthoi

Refrain
It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

Despite long days and hard trials, he never lost sight of the knowledge that it would be worth it all when we see Christ. At the very moment he was called home, Billy caught his first glimpse of his Savior's dear face with perfect vision! He was able to stand and walk to Him with strong legs, a strong heart, a restored mind, and a cancer-free body.

While we will dearly miss our husband, father, grandfather and friend, our mourning isn't the same as those who have no hope. Billy lived his entire life with this final journey in mind and was able to say with the Apostle Paul,

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but to all them also that love his appearing. II Timothy 4:6-8

Who would call him back to this vale of tears and pain, even if they could? We who know Christ as our personal Savior will one day be reunited with Billy. Yes, we will continue miss his daily presence in our lives, but we will take strength and comfort from the promises of God:

Fear thou not; for I am with the: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10

If you have been inspired by the life of Billy Renstrom, but don't know his Savior, please consider this:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ridgeview Baptist Church, 3810 Youngfield Street, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033.