Paul Bearer Story: An Amazing Act of Kindness By Christy Woodard

The following is an account by WNS fan Christy Woodard of an amazing story of kindness from the late William Moody (Paul Bearer) who donated so much to St. Mary's Home in Mobile, AL.

"My name is Christy Woodard. I was born in New Orleans, LA. but, I live in the beautiful and wonderful Panama City Beach, FL. I have grown up although the south, called many cities home and, seen many friends come and go. One of my favorite places I have lived was Mobile, AL.. There in Mobile I experienced much that became life altering events for me, both bad and good but, more so good. One experience I shall never forget and, it has to do with the wonderful and great, William Moody a.k.a Paul Bearer. I write this as a tribute to Bill. I want the world to know what Bill did for me and, for other children in Mobile, AL.. He truly was a good man let alone, an admirable human being. I feel I cannot hide my story from the world anymore thankfully because of Ben Kerin (director of WNS), I can share this story to many. The world needs to know what Bill did outside his amazing wrestling career.

When I was 11 years old, I told a neighbor that a family member molested me. To be honest, I was molested by this family member more times than I could count. She had called the cops and, told them what I had told her. The cops came to the house, asked questions and, investigated the situation. DHR was hired on to my case and, I was assigned my own social worker. I was taken out of my home and, lived with a dear family friend named Joann. I loved living with Joann, we were always going somewhere and, I was never bored. She showed me love and, she cared for me deeply as if I were her own daughter. She made me feel wanted and, important. I loved my Joann. If I was never allowed to return home, to live with Joann for the rest of my life I wouldn’t have mind at all. While Joann and I were visiting her friend one day, Joann’s beeper went off with the social worker’s number appearing. We had dreaded that call for weeks because, if that certain number calls, I would be forced to live in a children’s home. Joann had called and pleaded with them that I stay with her, I pleaded but, the decision had been made and, I was to be dropped off by the next day at St. Mary’s Home.

When I got to St. Mary’s Home, I was scared, I felt alone and, I missed my mom, my brother and, Joann. I cried every night for 2 weeks straight. After 3 weeks, I had grown accustomed to St. Mary’s rules and, regulations. St. Mary’s Home wasn’t bad at all. Each section (depending on age, temporary or, permanent residence) had its own dorm mothers. Our dorm mothers were just as loving and nurturing as regular moms were. Every child had their favorite mothers but, just the same, they did their job, a job that was demanding but, a rewarding job at that. I often look back at these wonderful women with admiration and, joy. They took care of kids who were neglected, abandoned, abused and, sometimes the job was challenging but, nevertheless they stayed and structured us kids to one day be outstanding adults and, law abiding citizens.

Living in St. Mary’s Home, my body was going through some changes (puberty lol). Soon, my body was not fitting into some of my clothes anymore. So, I went to the office to ask for some under garments and, clothes. As I was entering the office, I had noticed 3 of the biggest black garbage bags I had ever seen filled with something and, 1 clear huge bag which contained pretty ruffled socks, underwear and an assortment of shirts. The lady told me to look through the bags and get whatever I needed. I was the first to look through the bags and, excited to get first choice. I wasn’t going to get greedy and get everything I thought was cute; I had to remember there was others who deserved and, needed new pretty clothes as well. I got what I needed, told the lady “Thank You!”. While I was leaving, I had noticed a picture of Paul Bearer on the wall. I got excited and asked the lady “Is that Paul Bearer?” she replied with a yes and told me he donates to St. Mary’s Home and, will often buy the necessities children needed there in St. Mary’s Home. As a matter of fact, those 4 huge bags of brand new clothing came from Paul Bearer himself.

My mouth flew open wide when I heard that. I was surprised to hear what that lady had told me. Being the obsessed and, loyal fan I was of the WWE (and still am), I thought it was so cool that I was being clothed by Paul Bearer himself. My eyes started to open more of what exactly Bill did for St. Mary’s Home and, for Mobile, AL. itself. He clothed us kids, he brought us bathroom necessities and, just donated what he could. He cared very much for the children of St. Mary’s Home. Whenever he’s wasn’t on the road, he would visit St. Mary’s when he could. He not only donated to St. Mary’s but, to many charities in Mobile, AL.. As a child, I had seen or, been a part of things no child should ever witness let alone, be amongst of. I didn’t have the greatest people in my life to look up to, to mold me into an adult. SO, at St. Mary’s, the mothers became the people I looked up too and, the great Paul Bearer. In that picture that hung by the office, Paul was just smiling and, his smile was so inviting and, warm. Every time I passed his picture, it made me smile, made me feel so special and, gave me hope. I needed to feel those things at that time in my life, it was so important that I felt hope, that I felt special, that I felt important, that I felt like I mattered to someone in the world who cared about my well-being and, wanted what was best for me. That picture gave me all the hope I needed and now, I am the grown woman I like to think Bill would be proud of; for I am who I am because of my inspirations through my life’s journey and, for what Bill taught me at such a young age.

He gave so much too so many that I wonder if he ever was personally thanked by those he touched. I never got the great opportunity to thank Bill and, it hurts my heart so much, my tears are never-ending but, thankfully, I am afforded this opportunity to tell my story so that maybe it can reach his family, friends, past and present colleagues and, his fans. It’s so important that you all know what he did for me and, so many others. He was more than just the memorable characters he portrayed in life; I feel as if his more memorable part for me of him was who was as a human being in this word.

I have grown up with a special place in my heart for Bill. No one owns that place except for Bill because of the major way he affected my little 11 year old heart. I love Bill so much. He is more than just a great man but, an awesome human being. Words cannot ever express just how much Bill means to me. What hurts the most is that I never told him Thank You. He has no idea of the mark he left on my heart for so long. I am a giving, loving, non-judgmental, woman because of what I learned from him. Bill means the world to me and, to know he is no longer apart of earth saddens me to no end but, I feel his mansion is so huge in heaven. I feel the Good Lord has given all the desires and wants of Bill’s heart and, so much more. I just feel he’s in heaven and, that he is content, that his smile is just a tad bit bigger and much more warm and inviting.

Me and my husband will be attending Bill’s wake and funeral. I feel I have to go and pay my respects to Bill and, to hopefully get some closure on this matter. I want to carry him with me always but, without the guilt of never telling Bill what he did for me. I don’t think it would be healthy for me to do so and, Bill wouldn’t want that for me. There will be tears at his wake and, funeral, I know there will be. I just hope his family and friends see just how much Bill was loved by so many and hopefully, their hearts become a lot lighter after his body is laid to rest.

I will also be stopping by St. Mary’s home to make a donation in honor of Paul Bearer and thank them for what they did for me 18 years ago. I don’t want another day to go by with letting those know in my past and, present how much they mean to me. I wish the same for you all.

In closing, I would like to sincerely say THANK YOU to Ben Kerin and, WNS for allowing me this opportunity to tell my story. This means so much to me to be able to do this and, I’m grateful for it. Also, I would like to say that it would be nice if we had more William Moody’s in the world. I feel we should all give when we can, smile at a stranger, love without judgment and, be more understanding of each other just as Bill was. When we apply those things in our life, the blessings we receive in life is endless. God Bless You ALL! Rest In Peace William Moody."

I love you, always. Christy Woodard