William 'Billy' Light

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Light, William "Billy" Age 66, of Minnetonka, joined his Lord on April 15, 2016, following a fierce fight against cancer. Billy was preceded in death by his parents, Earl & Rose Light and sister, Sharon Light Lemieux. He is survived by his wife of 34 years the love of his life Julie, and their children: Brittney & Dan Johnson, Chelsea & Caleb Lee, Caitlin (Joe Cates), and Taylor. He is also survived by his six grandchildren who were crazy about their Big Papa/Ga: Finn Johnson, Harper Johnson, Sullivan William Johnson, Ranger Lee, Duke William Lee, and Boone Lee. He is also survived by siblings, Janis (Richard) Myers and Danny (Mary) Light, his extended Light/Slavin family, Julie's siblings, Scott (Jen) Munger and Amy (Joel) Forsline, and Julie's extended Munger/Hunt family. Because of his devotion to relationships, Billy is also survived by his other "families" that include those from his Hopkins roots, the University of Minnesota, his restaurants, Wayzata High School football, the Marsh, BSF, and his children's friends and those friends' parents in his Minnetonka community. Billy grew up in Hopkins, Minnesota. He attended St. Joe's Elementary School and Hopkins High School; he loved his classmates and every opportunity when he could hit, run, throw, and tackle with and against his buddies. He played football at the University of Minnesota, where the bonds that were formed on the field became more golden over time. He is in the athletic Halls of Fame at these two schools, honors that blessed him with the same intensity with which he cherished the game, his teammates, and his coaches. Billy was a co-owner of T-Wright's Saloon and Supper Club in Minnetonka (1974-1997), T-Wright's in Brooklyn Center (1981-1992), Naismith's Restaurant in Minneapolis (1990-1993), and Billy's Lighthouse in Long Lake (1985-2006). Billy appreciated his career, but he loved the people who made it come alive. Billy's toughness was tempered by a gentleness and devotion that was most evident in how he mightily loved his role as a father to his girls; and he loved his sons-in-law as his own. Billy often said that he was given a blessed life. He was forever grateful for his football opportunities he had as a boy and young man, and his heart was overwhelmed by his deepest earthly blessings being a husband, father, and grandfather. But he would mostly want to be remembered as someone who had been redeemed by the blood shed on the old rugged cross. Football saved him in life; Jesus saved him for life. A memorial service will be held at Westwood Community Church (3121 Westwood Drive, Chanhassen), Saturday, April 30, at 11:00 AM. Lunch and fellowship will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to the Billy Light Scholarship Fund (contact: billylightscholarshipfund@gmail.com) or to Billy Graham Evangelistic Assoc. (billygraham.org)

Published on April 24, 2016