In Memory of Bill Teas
Bill passed away of a massive stroke followed by a heart attack on Saturday, December 19, 2009.
Bill and Oletia Teas have been two of the most influential supporters of contra dance, square dance, and English Country Dance in the Houston area for the past several decades. It was because of their urging that Mike Head started the contra dance series that would become HATDS.
The photo below was taken at the 2009 HATDS Holiday Ball, just a week before Bill died.
The following poem was written by Barbara Moore and read at Bill's memorial service on December 26, 2009.
BILL
I sat Christmas night with a hot cup of tea,
Bundled up against winter chill
As thought crossed my mind of a unique experience
Meeting a gentleman by the name of Bill.
Oletia and Bill, so much in love
Enjoyed going places,
Everyone knew they shared something special
By the “knowing look” on their faces
I guess the Fates had crossed our paths
Through genealogy
From that day forward we were together
As much as we could be
Do-si-do and promenade your “corner”
The caller told us all
And Bill would proudly escort
His partner through the square dance hall
Find a partner, Improper lines!
We heard the caller say
So conscious of the new ones there
Bill helped them Contradance that day
“I just can’t make this program work”
He heard someone’s concern
He quickly stepped over to explain to them
That he could help them learn
He truly studies computers
Their programs and their quirks
Through massive ancestral journeys
He also made it work
We’d form a group for a trip
To the Renaissance Faire
Good friends, good food and lots of laughter
In the open air.
We all talked of folks wearing Chain Mail
Their bodies almost like an open book
He referred to the women with “pans of roasting hens”
Oh yes, he DID steal a look.
I don’t think he knew any strangers
He always spoke to everyone
And God help all the restaurant staff
He always told a joke or pun!
Bill’s life had facets like a diamond
In our lives he has been a gem
How very fortunate and blessed
For us to have known him
I’ll think of things he taught me
As I struggle up “Research Hill”
This sweet, distinguished gentlemen
We all knew as Bill.